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The State of the Birds 2010 Report on Climate Change is the first comprehensive assessment of the vulnerability of bird species to global warming
across the United States. The report shows that climate changes resulting from a warming Earth will have an
increasingly disruptive effect on bird species in all habitats, with oceanic and Hawaiian birds in greatest peril.
Birds are excellent indicators of the health of our environment and right now they are telling us an important
story about climate change. Many species of conservation concern will face heightened threats, increasing our
sense of urgency to protect and conserve vital bird habitat.
Released by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar in Austin, Texas on March 11th, The State of the Birds 2010 Report
on Climate Change presents the following key findings:
• Oceanic birds are among the most vulnerable species because they don’t raise many young each year, rely on
a rapidly changing marine ecosystem, and nest on islands that may be flooded as sea levels rise.
• Hawaiian birds such as the endangered species, Puaiohi and ’Akiapola’au, already face multiple threats and
are increasingly challenged by mosquito-borne diseases and invasive species as climate change alters their
native habitats.
• Birds in coastal, arctic/alpine, and grassland habitats, as well
as those on Caribbean and other Pacific Islands show intermediate
levels of vulnerability; most birds in aridlands, wetlands, and
forests show relatively low vulnerability to climate change.
• For bird species that are already of conservation concern
such as the Golden-cheeked Warbler, Whooping Crane, and
Spectacled Eider, the added vulnerability to climate change may
hasten declines or prevent recovery.
• Common bird species such as the
American Oystercatcher, Common Nighthawk, and Northern
Pintail are likely to become species of conservation concern as a
result of climate change.
While there is much to be concerned about in this report, we can reduce the impacts of climate change by taking
immediate action to reduce carbon emissions and finding creative conservation solutions to help birds adapt to
the changes that are already in process.
The first State of the Birds, United States of America report was released in 2009 and focused on birds as indicators of the health of their habitats. Complete State of the Birds reports will be created every four to five years and, in interim years, a theme focused report will be issued.
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Mike Kreger, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Robert Blohm, USFWS
Brad Andres, USFWS
Jennifer Wheeler, USFWS
Jorge Coppen, USFWS
John Sauer, U.S. Geological Survey
Greg Butcher, National Audubon Society
Laurel Barnhill, South Carolina Dept. of Natural Resources
Deb Hahn, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
David Pashley, American Bird Conservancy
Ken Rosenberg, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Dave Mehlman, The Nature Conservancy
Charles Francis, Canadian Wildlife Service
Dan Petit, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Frank Thompson, U.S. Forest Service
Paul Schmidt, USFWS
Sandra Brewer, Bureau of Land Management
Brent Steury, National Park Service
Alicia King, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Nancy Severance, National Audubon Society
Ashley Dayer, Cornell University
Miyoko Chu, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Blythe Thomas, The Nature Conservancy
Steve Holmer, American Bird Conservancy
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