Science >

CONTACT: Nina Carter, Executive Director
Audubon Washington 360-789-0792
Gordon Orians
University of Washington 206-364-5743
Gary Blevins, Chairman
Audubon Washington Board 509-863-2659
Don McIvor, Science Advisor
Audubon Washington 509-997-9456

JUNE 14, 2007, SEATTLE, WASHINGTON—Population declines for some of the most common and beloved birds in Washington State echo the disturbing findings from the National Audubon Society. A new scientific analysis reveals how local and national threats are combining to take a toll on birds, habitat and their habitats across the country. More details about the National Audubon Society report are here.

“These are not rare or exotic birds we’re talking about—these are the birds that visit our feeders and come to our nearby lakes and seashores and yet they are disappearing day by day,” said Audubon Chairperson and former EPA Administrator, Carol Browner. “Their decline tells us we have serious work to do, from protecting local habitats to addressing the huge threats from global warming.”

The national study, based on Christmas bird counts and breeding bird censuses, found that populations of some common birds plunged over the past 40 years, with several down nearly 80 percent. In Washington State, the five common birds in steepest decline are: Evening Grosbeak (down 97%) Bonaparte’s Gull (down 97%), Purple Finch (down 87%), Yellow-headed Blackbird (down 72%) and Western Meadowlark (down 60%). Many Washington residents know these five birds from their backyard bird feeders or they see them while watching wildlife throughout our state.

The dramatic national declines are attributed to a variety of factors, including the loss of shrub steppe, grasslands, mature forests and wetlands, and other critical habitats from multiple environmental threats such as sprawl, energy development, intense management for single resources, and the spread of clean farming techniques. The national study notes that these threats are now compounded by new problems including the escalating effects of global warming and demand for corn-based ethanol.

“Audubon’s new State of the Birds Report is important because we have focused our attention on endangered species and failed to notice serious declines in populations of our common birds,” said Gordon Orians, Professor Emeritus of Biology at University of Washington.

“Here in Washington, the biggest problem comes from cutting up our landscapes into smaller and smaller disconnected pieces. We should keep our landscapes intact and connected for future generations of farmers and foresters. Doing so will keep our common birds in good shape too”, said Nina Carter, Executive Director, Audubon Washington.

The five bird species especially hard hit in Washington include:

Evening Grosbeak populations are down 97 percent in Washington and 78 percent nationally. Several years ago they were regular visitors to the Puget Sound area; fewer are seen every year. Declines may be due to competition with House Finches, or the spread of disease through, perhaps, unsafe feeder practices. Bird feeders should be cleaned regularly and platform feeders should be avoided.
Evening Grosbeak Photo by George Jameson

Wintering Bonaparte’s Gull populations are also down by 97%. These are the smaller gulls most beginning birders recognize easily because of their black heads in spring look like Napoleon’s hat. Cause of decline may be attributed to declining food sources, such as herring in Puget Sound.
Bonaparte’s Gull Photo by H.R. Spendelow Jr.

Purple Finch populations have declined by 87 percent, especially in suburban areas, probably owing to competition with introduced House Finches. In aggressive interactions, House Finches nearly always win.
Purple Finch Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Yellow-headed Blackbirds are medium-distance migrants that breed in wetlands in semi-arid areas in British Columbia and Washington and winter mainly in the Southwestern United States and Mexico. They may be affected by farming techniques that leave few vacant strips of land or wetlands, by pollution, and introduction of exotic fishes. Yellow-headed Blackbirds have declined by 72 percent in our state.
Yellow-headed Blackbird Photo by G.C. Kelley

Anyone traveling in Eastern Washington knows to listen for the Western Meadowlark’s melodic song. However, Western Meadowlarks are threatened by the loss of grasslands, and their populations are, down 60 percent. Huge stretches of grasslands have been converted to agricultural row crops, or severely reduced in quality due to poor grazing management. The potential conversion to biofuel crops (like corn) of farm lands currently protected in the Conservation Reserve Program for conservation puts even more pressure on Western Meadowlark populations.
Western Meadowlark Photo by George Jameson

# # #

Click here to view the press release about the first national “The State of the Birds” report (2004) documenting the health and abundance of North America’s birds.