USGS Bird Science by Flyway—Summer 2026 Highlights
Connecting state agencies and biologists to the breadth of partner-driven science that USGS supports in your flyway.
Conservation partners across North America coordinate management of migratory birds based on distinct routes—known as flyways—that birds use between breeding and non-breeding areas. The USGS works closely with the Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyway Technical Committees and other partners from conservation organizations, federal agencies and academic institutions. Together, USGS and collaborators provide the reliable, timely science that empowers natural resource managers to address the Nation’s most challenging issues affecting migratory birds and the communities that depend on them. USGS research is essential for guiding management and conservation decisions, supporting both healthy ecosystems and the outdoor recreation economy that relies on abundant fish and wildlife populations.
Across Flyways
Atlantic Flyway
Mississippi Flyway
Central Flyway
Pacific Flyway
Game Birds
Regional Conservation Planning Tool
A new spreadsheet-based regional conservation planning tool enables state wildlife managers to rapidly prioritize landscapes and allocate resources for waterfowl and wetland conservation, offering flexibility to select objectives and their relative importance (weights) without requiring GIS expertise. This tool bridges continental-scale conservation strategies with regional implementation, supporting stakeholder-driven, value-explicit spatial prioritization, an approach which offers broad applicability and relevance for state-level management decisions.
Mallard–Poultry Overlap Raises Avian Influenza Risk
USGS and partners—including the USDA, state wildlife agencies from Louisiana and Minnesota, and academic collaborators—investigated how mallard movements overlap with poultry farms, revealing that such overlap increases the risk of avian influenza spillover events. Using GPS-tagged mallards to quantify interactions across space and time, this study documented that risk was highest for commercial turkey and backyard poultry farms, especially during pre-breeding migration. This research underscores the importance of enhanced biosecurity and targeted management strategies, with broad implications for state wildlife managers seeking to mitigate disease risks at the wildlife-agriculture interface.
Read the study: Spatiotemporal overlap of mallards with poultry farms and risk of avian influenza wild bird spillover events
Wetland Dynamics and Duck Productivity in the Prairie Pothole Region
Research by USGS and the North Dakota Fish and Game Department shows that while pond numbers in the Prairie Pothole Region have increased since the 1970s, their interannual dynamics have declined, signaling ecosystem stabilization. This change is linked to a 44-year decline in duck productivity for ducks breeding in the Prairie Pothole Region, despite recent high abundance. Reduced water-level variability and agricultural land use changes appear to lower brood-rearing habitat quality. Findings underscore the need to consider hydrologic dynamics and land use in conservation planning for this globally important breeding area.
Read the study: Wetland hydrologic dynamics and duck productivity are declining in the Prairie Pothole Region, and they are linked
Landscape and People Shape Waterfowl Movement
Waterfowl movement patterns are influenced by landscape heterogeneity and human population density, with implications for the spread of avian influenza viruses. Analysis of telemetry data from 4,606 individuals across 26 species revealed that waterfowl move less in more heterogeneous and densely populated areas, and these movement patterns are weakly but positively correlated with the spatial spread of H5N1 avian influenza. This research provides actionable insights for state wildlife managers, highlighting the importance of landscape and human factors in disease risk and informing targeted surveillance and intervention strategies.
Conservation Buffers the Duck Factory
USGS, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Colorado State University, and state wildlife agencies in the Prairie Pothole Region demonstrated that conservation actions bolster the resilience of the United States Duck Factory, even as environmental changes threaten waterfowl breeding capacity at landscape scales. Targeted habitat conservation can help buffer against climate-driven declines in wetland quality and breeding productivity, supporting sustainable waterfowl populations. These findings highlight the critical role of collaborative conservation among federal, state, and academic partners for state wildlife managers facing shifting environmental conditions in the Prairie Pothole Region.
Nongame Birds
Improving Accuracy for BBS Population Trends
Accounting for location uncertainty at Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) stops significantly improves ecological inference and modeling for bird population trends. Using informative Bayesian priors to quantify and incorporate uncertainty in land cover covariates results in more accurate stop-level analyses and species prevalence estimates compared to traditional approaches. These findings provide practical guidance for improving BBS data analysis and inform more reliable conservation and management decisions for birds across North America.
Read the study: Incorporating location uncertainty improves inference with stop-level North American Breeding Bird Survey data
BBS and eBird Trends Align
USGS and partners—including Cornell Lab of Ornithology and University of St. Andrews—compared population trend estimates for North American birds using eBird and the Breeding Bird Survey, finding generally strong agreement in trend directions but weaker correlations in magnitude. Their analysis revealed that estimates marked by each analysis as high-credibility showed the greatest alignment. This comparative approach empowers state and federal wildlife managers and analysts to interpret and integrate multiple survey datasets, improving the reliability of bird population assessments and conservation planning, and highlights the complementary nature of the two datasets.
Read the study: Same view through a different lens: Comparing population trends for North American birds using eBird and the Breeding Bird Survey
Applying Shorebird Tracking Data to Conservation
A broad coalition of state and federal agencies, academic and conservation organizations across North America and Europe have developed the Shorebird Science and Conservation Collective to translate shorebird tracking data into actionable conservation outcomes. This collaborative effort, involving over 75 organizations and 36 tracked species, has informed 18 conservation projects spanning education, land management, and policy, demonstrating the power of big data and partnership-driven science.
Read the study: The collective application of shorebird tracking data to conservation
Lesser Yellowlegs Subdivide the Prairie Pothole Region During Migration
USGS and academic partners tracked Lesser Yellowlegs from distinct breeding sites to understand how they use the Prairie Pothole Region during southbound migration. Telemetry data showed that birds from separate breeding populations subdivide the region in both space and time, using different migratory routes and stopover periods rather than mixing broadly across the landscape. This spatial and temporal segregation has implications for habitat management and conservation planning, helping state wildlife managers target migration‑period protections for this declining species across a highly altered and strategically important region.
Technologies to Optimize Shorebird Tracking
Partners from the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Australia evaluated the success of dorsally mounted tracking tag deployments in 37 shorebird species, analyzing how power source, data retrieval method, and attachment type influence outcomes. The synthesis of 2,745 tracker deployments revealed that lighter, solar-powered tags with satellite data retrieval and leg-loop harnesses were most likely to achieve intended tracking durations, while many deployments failed due to tracker or attachment issues.
Read the study: Power source, data retrieval method, and attachment type affect success of dorsally mounted tracking tag deployments in 37 species of shorebirds
Peregrine Populations Trending Up
USGS and partners conducted a comprehensive status assessment of peregrine falcons in North America using integrated population models. Analysis revealed positive population growth in both northern and southern management populations, with survival and productivity rates varying by age and region, and no continental-scale declines associated with recent avian influenza outbreaks. These findings provide state wildlife managers with robust, data-driven insights to guide conservation and management strategies for peregrine falcons across varied landscapes.
Read the study: Status assessment of peregrine falcons in North America using integrated population models
Kestrel Declines Linked to Summer Survival
A continental-scale assessment of American kestrel population trends and vital rates using integrated population models revealed a 29% decline in kestrel population size from 1986 to 2019, with declines linked to reduced summer survival rates in juveniles and adult males, while winter survival rates increased but did not offset overall losses. Findings will help managers identify priority regions and demographic targets for conservation action, supporting more strategic and adaptive management of kestrel populations across North America.
Read the study: American kestrel population trends and vital rates at the continental scale
HPAI Drives Rough-Legged Hawk Mortality
Telemetry data from 71 rough-legged hawks tracked across all major North American migratory flyways during the 2022–2023 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak revealed a 28% cause-specific mortality rate attributed to HPAI, with overall mortality (47%) far exceeding baseline rates. Most HPAI-related deaths occurred in the Central and Atlantic flyways during pre-breeding migration, likely due to hawks scavenging or preying on infected waterfowl. The study demonstrates that movement data can pinpoint sources of mortality and help state wildlife managers understand and respond to disease-driven population declines in raptors.
Read the study: Increased mortality rates caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in a migratory raptor
Avian Influenza Spillover into Poultry
USGS and partners investigated the mechanisms and risks of avian influenza spillover from wild birds to domestic poultry, emphasizing the importance of integrated surveillance across wildlife and agricultural sectors. Early detection and coordinated response can significantly reduce the impact of outbreaks, especially in regions with high poultry density. Findings support the development of joint monitoring programs, rapid communication protocols, and targeted biosecurity measures to protect both wildlife and agricultural interests.
Read the study: Avian influenza spillover into poultry: environmental influences and biosecurity protections
Joint Venture Bird Monitoring Decision Tool
The Joint Venture Bird Monitoring Decision Tool streamlines survey design for bird monitoring by guiding users through a series of questions to recommend tailored methods and resources, reducing complexity and improving accessibility for conservation organizations, land trusts, birding groups, and state and federal agency staff. Its applications include supporting evidence-based decisions, optimizing monitoring protocols to meet specific management objectives, and connecting users to curated databases and cost comparison tools for efficient resource allocation. By facilitating the selection of appropriate survey techniques and leveraging existing data sources, this new tool empowers bird partners to enhance conservation outcomes and adapt to evolving standards in bird monitoring.
Go to the tool: Joint Venture Bird Monitoring Decision Tool
Delaware Bay Red Knots Numbers Stable
The 2025 passage population of Red Knots at Delaware Bay was estimated at 54,043 individuals (95% credible interval: 47,926–61,928), marking a 17% increase over 2024 and only the second year since 2011 to exceed 50,000 birds. Despite this uptick, overlapping credible intervals indicate a stable stopover population, and migration timing has remained consistent, with half the population arriving by May 18 and no evidence of earlier migration since 2011. These results are part of the Adaptive Resource Management framework for horseshoe crab harvest levels that maintain adequate foraging opportunities for Red Knots and other shorebirds.
Adult Golden-winged Warbler Survival Consistent Across Regions
A range-wide analysis of adult golden-winged warbler survival found no substantial differences between sexes or between the Great Lakes and Appalachian regional populations, as credible intervals overlapped for all estimates. Site-specific and sex-specific survival estimates also showed no clear geographic or demographic patterns, suggesting that factors other than adult survival—such as productivity or juvenile recruitment—are likely driving recent population declines. The study emphasizes the need for standardized, collaborative efforts and improved data collection to inform conservation strategies for this declining species.
Read the study: Apparent annual survival of adult Golden-winged Warblers (Vermivora chrysoptera) may not differ by sex or region
Osprey Reproduction Deficits in Chesapeake Bay
Recent monitoring of ospreys in Chesapeake Bay revealed significant reproductive deficits, with high-salinity areas functioning as demographic sinks and low-salinity areas as demographic sources. Breeding metrics—including clutch size, nesting failure, and brood reduction—showed greater food stress in high-salinity sites, and contemporary reproductive performance in these areas has declined substantially compared to the 1980s. Although several factors are operating within this ecosystem that may affect osprey productivity, this research suggests that Atlantic menhaden availability is the primary driver of low reproduction. These findings highlight osprey as a sentinel for Bay health and underscore the need for fisheries management that balances seafood harvest with ecosystem integrity to sustain both wildlife and coastal communities.
Read the study: Widespread reproductive deficits in Chesapeake Bay ospreys
Game Birds
Managing Water Depths for Geese
Research tracking 78 greater white-fronted geese in Louisiana revealed that winter habitat use was greatest at sites with water depths greater than 5.1 cm and wet areas were consistently used compared to dry sites, suggesting that new agricultural flooding regimes could improve habitat quality and help mitigate effects of recent winter distribution shifts. These findings offer practical guidance for state managers, emphasizing the importance of water depth management and targeted habitat enhancement to support goose populations in changing landscapes.
Effects of harvest strategies on Canada goose population dynamics
USGS and partners evaluated the effectiveness of liberalized hunting regulations on temperate-breeding Canada goose populations in Arkansas from 2005 to 2020, focusing on survival, harvest probabilities, abundance, and recovery distribution. Key findings indicate that while liberalized hunting regulations had short-term effects on survival, adult harvest probabilities declined, and adult survival slightly increased over time. Juvenile abundance decreased, suggesting potential issues with productivity or recruitment, despite limited dispersal of the geese outside of Arkansas.
Nongame Birds
King Rail Occupancy Stable within Scarce Habitat
King rail occupancy in the Arkansas Delta remained stable between 2005 and 2017, despite high interannual variation, as emergent wetland habitat—the species’ primary requirement—also stabilized in spatial extent. However, these wetlands comprise less than 1% of the Delta, highlighting that suitable habitat is in critically short supply even as occupancy rates hold steady. The findings underscore an urgent opportunity for managers to conserve existing emergent wetlands and create new ones to support king rail populations and broader marsh bird viability in the region.
Read the study: Rallus elegans (King Rail) occupancy is stable, but habitat is in short supply in the Arkansas Delta
Adult Golden-winged Warbler Survival Consistent Across Regions
A range-wide analysis of adult golden-winged warbler survival found no substantial differences between sexes or between the Great Lakes and Appalachian regional populations, as credible intervals overlapped for all estimates. Site-specific and sex-specific survival estimates also showed no clear geographic or demographic patterns, suggesting that factors other than adult survival—such as productivity or juvenile recruitment—are likely driving recent population declines. The study emphasizes the need for standardized, collaborative efforts and improved data collection to inform conservation strategies for this declining species.
Read the study: Apparent annual survival of adult Golden-winged Warblers (Vermivora chrysoptera) may not differ by sex or region
Optimizing Habitat for Shorebirds in Louisiana
Research at two restored coastal Louisiana sites found that shorebird abundance and behavior were most strongly influenced by remotely sensed habitat variables—such as sediment composition, moisture, and vegetative cover—rather than restoration phase. The direction and strength of these relationships varied among focal species, highlighting the importance of site-specific habitat features for shorebird management. These findings suggest that integrating remote sensing metrics into restoration design and management can help land managers better understand and optimize habitat for shorebirds in coastal Louisiana.
Game Birds
Long-term Declines in Greater Sage-grouse
Updated analysis of greater sage-grouse populations across their range shows a persistent long-term decline, with an average annual decrease of 2.9% between 1966 and 2021 and cumulative losses of up to 78.8% over 55 years. Population trends varied among climate clusters, but all regions experienced substantial declines, underscoring the need for targeted management and conservation actions. These findings provide state and federal managers with the best available science to guide conservation planning related to sustaining sage-grouse populations and their sagebrush ecosystems.
Read the study: Range-wide population trend analysis for greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus)—Updated 1960–2024
Nongame Birds
Piping Plover Nest Survival in Natural and Artificial Habitats
Research in the lower Platte River system found that nest survival rates for threatened piping plovers were similar in both natural river sandbars and human-created habitats, with extrinsic factors like temperature and proximity to tern nests influencing outcomes. This suggests that off-river sites can provide viable nesting habitat in the short term, but predicted declines in these habitats may reduce overall breeding productivity and population viability. Prioritizing early season nests, leveraging the benefits of tern proximity, and monitoring climate trends are key strategies for plover management, while long-term conservation efforts may benefit from sustaining both natural and artificial habitats to support population recovery.
Read the study: Extrinsic factors similarly affect nest survival of a threatened shorebird in natural and human-created habitats
Annual Grass Invasion Reshapes Songbird Communities
Annual grass invasion is fundamentally transforming sagebrush-steppe ecosystems, driving shifts in songbird communities by favoring generalist species over specialists. Although local songbird diversity may increase with grass invasion, ongoing reorganization at larger scales signals heterogeneous impacts among species and guilds, with extinction debts potentially obscuring long-term consequences. These findings highlight the need to prioritize conservation of sensitive songbird species and adapt strategies to address the changing composition and function of wildlife communities in invaded sagebrush landscapes.
Game Birds
Spring Weather Drives Snow Goose Breeding
Spring weather conditions were found to strongly influence breeding propensity—the most important driver of productivity—for Arctic-nesting lesser snow geese. Variability in spring temperatures and timing directly affected whether geese initiated breeding, with implications for population dynamics and annual recruitment. This research suggests that monitoring and forecasting spring weather patterns would be beneficial to inform conservation strategies and anticipate productivity shifts in Arctic-nesting waterfowl.
Surveillance Clarifies Alaska HPAI Impacts
Research by USGS and partners indicated that while the 2022 outbreak of HPAI among wild birds in Alaska’s Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta affected at least seven wild bird species, acute impacts on avian population health were likely modest, with evidence of infection, antibody prevalence, and some reduction in nesting for key species. These results underscore the value of integrated surveillance and monitoring to assess disease impacts, inform rapid response, and guide conservation actions during future outbreaks.
Species‑Specific Mercury Risk in Ducks
Analysis of northern shoveler and cinnamon teal from Great Salt Lake revealed persistent, elevated mercury concentrations, with in vivo detoxification occurring through methylmercury demethylation and complexation with selenium. Researchers found taxonomic differences in detoxification rates and tissue mercury levels, indicating that total mercury is not an effective proxy for methylmercury exposure risk. These findings have important implications for waterfowl consumption advisories and highlight the need for species-specific assessments of mercury toxicity to better understand risks to wildlife and human health.
Read the study: Comparing in vivo methylmercury detoxification in hunted duck: Implications for wildlife and human health
Nongame Birds
Beluga, AK Refugium Boosts Hudsonian Godwit Nest Survival
Over the past 15 years, habitat changes in Beluga, Alaska—including increased vegetation and drying of muskeg bogs—have not reduced available nest sites or survival rates for Hudsonian godwits. Instead, nest survival increased by approximately 22% over this time period, indicating that these habitats currently buffer godwits from negative climate effects and support population stability. However, the long-term sustainability of this climate refugium remains uncertain, and continued monitoring is recommended to ensure ongoing benefits for vulnerable species.
Genetic Diversity and Rainfall Shape Cactus Wren Survival
Survival of the coastal cactus wren in southern California’s fragmented urban landscapes is strongly influenced by both genetic diversity and environmental conditions, with higher survival rates observed in individuals with greater heterozygosity and during years of increased precipitation. Age class was the most significant predictor of survival, and evidence suggests that inbreeding depression is a key concern for these populations. These findings support the value of genetic rescue and habitat management efforts to improve fitness and mitigate further loss of genetic variation in rare, urban-dwelling songbirds.
Read the study: Genetic and environmental factors associated with survival of a rare songbird in a fragmented urban landscape
Sapsucker Wells Are Keystone Resources
Sapsucker wells serve as keystone nutritional resources, attracting a diverse array of secondary consumers—including birds, mammals, and invertebrates—across multiple habitat types in south-central Colorado. Modern detection methods such as camera traps and environmental DNA analyses revealed additional sap-well visitors not identified by direct observation, highlighting the importance of technology in understanding ecosystem interactions. These findings underscore the ecological significance of sapsucker wells and suggest that enhanced detection methods can inform conservation and ecosystem management strategies.
Explore More
Evaluating harvest liberalization strategies on population dynamics of southern latitude temperate-breeding Canada geese Evaluating harvest liberalization strategies on population dynamics of southern latitude temperate-breeding Canada geese
Incorporating location uncertainty improves inference with stop-level North American Breeding Bird Survey data Incorporating location uncertainty improves inference with stop-level North American Breeding Bird Survey data
Comparing in vivo methylmercury detoxification in hunted duck: Implications for wildlife and human health Comparing in vivo methylmercury detoxification in hunted duck: Implications for wildlife and human health
Widespread reproductive deficits in Chesapeake Bay ospreys Widespread reproductive deficits in Chesapeake Bay ospreys
Tringa flavipes (Lesser Yellowlegs) from separate breeding sites subdivides the Prairie Pothole Region in space and time during southbound migration Tringa flavipes (Lesser Yellowlegs) from separate breeding sites subdivides the Prairie Pothole Region in space and time during southbound migration
Regional conservation planning tool: A spreadsheet model to support spatial prioritization and resource allocation decisions Regional conservation planning tool: A spreadsheet model to support spatial prioritization and resource allocation decisions
Nest site and habitat changes over 15 years in a predicted climate refugium in Beluga, AK, USA, have a positive impact on Hudsonian godwit (Limosa haemastica) nest survival Nest site and habitat changes over 15 years in a predicted climate refugium in Beluga, AK, USA, have a positive impact on Hudsonian godwit (Limosa haemastica) nest survival
Extrinsic factors similarly affect nest survival of a threatened shorebird in natural and human-created habitats Extrinsic factors similarly affect nest survival of a threatened shorebird in natural and human-created habitats
The collective application of shorebird tracking data to conservation The collective application of shorebird tracking data to conservation
Stopover population estimate and migration ecology of Red Knots C. c. rufa at Delaware Bay, USA, 2025 Stopover population estimate and migration ecology of Red Knots C. c. rufa at Delaware Bay, USA, 2025
American kestrel population trends and vital rates at the continental scale American kestrel population trends and vital rates at the continental scale
Waterfowl move less in heterogeneous and human-populated landscapes, with implications for spread of avian influenza viruses Waterfowl move less in heterogeneous and human-populated landscapes, with implications for spread of avian influenza viruses
Connecting state agencies and biologists to the breadth of partner-driven science that USGS supports in your flyway.
Conservation partners across North America coordinate management of migratory birds based on distinct routes—known as flyways—that birds use between breeding and non-breeding areas. The USGS works closely with the Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyway Technical Committees and other partners from conservation organizations, federal agencies and academic institutions. Together, USGS and collaborators provide the reliable, timely science that empowers natural resource managers to address the Nation’s most challenging issues affecting migratory birds and the communities that depend on them. USGS research is essential for guiding management and conservation decisions, supporting both healthy ecosystems and the outdoor recreation economy that relies on abundant fish and wildlife populations.
Across Flyways
Atlantic Flyway
Mississippi Flyway
Central Flyway
Pacific Flyway
Game Birds
Regional Conservation Planning Tool
A new spreadsheet-based regional conservation planning tool enables state wildlife managers to rapidly prioritize landscapes and allocate resources for waterfowl and wetland conservation, offering flexibility to select objectives and their relative importance (weights) without requiring GIS expertise. This tool bridges continental-scale conservation strategies with regional implementation, supporting stakeholder-driven, value-explicit spatial prioritization, an approach which offers broad applicability and relevance for state-level management decisions.
Mallard–Poultry Overlap Raises Avian Influenza Risk
USGS and partners—including the USDA, state wildlife agencies from Louisiana and Minnesota, and academic collaborators—investigated how mallard movements overlap with poultry farms, revealing that such overlap increases the risk of avian influenza spillover events. Using GPS-tagged mallards to quantify interactions across space and time, this study documented that risk was highest for commercial turkey and backyard poultry farms, especially during pre-breeding migration. This research underscores the importance of enhanced biosecurity and targeted management strategies, with broad implications for state wildlife managers seeking to mitigate disease risks at the wildlife-agriculture interface.
Read the study: Spatiotemporal overlap of mallards with poultry farms and risk of avian influenza wild bird spillover events
Wetland Dynamics and Duck Productivity in the Prairie Pothole Region
Research by USGS and the North Dakota Fish and Game Department shows that while pond numbers in the Prairie Pothole Region have increased since the 1970s, their interannual dynamics have declined, signaling ecosystem stabilization. This change is linked to a 44-year decline in duck productivity for ducks breeding in the Prairie Pothole Region, despite recent high abundance. Reduced water-level variability and agricultural land use changes appear to lower brood-rearing habitat quality. Findings underscore the need to consider hydrologic dynamics and land use in conservation planning for this globally important breeding area.
Read the study: Wetland hydrologic dynamics and duck productivity are declining in the Prairie Pothole Region, and they are linked
Landscape and People Shape Waterfowl Movement
Waterfowl movement patterns are influenced by landscape heterogeneity and human population density, with implications for the spread of avian influenza viruses. Analysis of telemetry data from 4,606 individuals across 26 species revealed that waterfowl move less in more heterogeneous and densely populated areas, and these movement patterns are weakly but positively correlated with the spatial spread of H5N1 avian influenza. This research provides actionable insights for state wildlife managers, highlighting the importance of landscape and human factors in disease risk and informing targeted surveillance and intervention strategies.
Conservation Buffers the Duck Factory
USGS, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Colorado State University, and state wildlife agencies in the Prairie Pothole Region demonstrated that conservation actions bolster the resilience of the United States Duck Factory, even as environmental changes threaten waterfowl breeding capacity at landscape scales. Targeted habitat conservation can help buffer against climate-driven declines in wetland quality and breeding productivity, supporting sustainable waterfowl populations. These findings highlight the critical role of collaborative conservation among federal, state, and academic partners for state wildlife managers facing shifting environmental conditions in the Prairie Pothole Region.
Nongame Birds
Improving Accuracy for BBS Population Trends
Accounting for location uncertainty at Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) stops significantly improves ecological inference and modeling for bird population trends. Using informative Bayesian priors to quantify and incorporate uncertainty in land cover covariates results in more accurate stop-level analyses and species prevalence estimates compared to traditional approaches. These findings provide practical guidance for improving BBS data analysis and inform more reliable conservation and management decisions for birds across North America.
Read the study: Incorporating location uncertainty improves inference with stop-level North American Breeding Bird Survey data
BBS and eBird Trends Align
USGS and partners—including Cornell Lab of Ornithology and University of St. Andrews—compared population trend estimates for North American birds using eBird and the Breeding Bird Survey, finding generally strong agreement in trend directions but weaker correlations in magnitude. Their analysis revealed that estimates marked by each analysis as high-credibility showed the greatest alignment. This comparative approach empowers state and federal wildlife managers and analysts to interpret and integrate multiple survey datasets, improving the reliability of bird population assessments and conservation planning, and highlights the complementary nature of the two datasets.
Read the study: Same view through a different lens: Comparing population trends for North American birds using eBird and the Breeding Bird Survey
Applying Shorebird Tracking Data to Conservation
A broad coalition of state and federal agencies, academic and conservation organizations across North America and Europe have developed the Shorebird Science and Conservation Collective to translate shorebird tracking data into actionable conservation outcomes. This collaborative effort, involving over 75 organizations and 36 tracked species, has informed 18 conservation projects spanning education, land management, and policy, demonstrating the power of big data and partnership-driven science.
Read the study: The collective application of shorebird tracking data to conservation
Lesser Yellowlegs Subdivide the Prairie Pothole Region During Migration
USGS and academic partners tracked Lesser Yellowlegs from distinct breeding sites to understand how they use the Prairie Pothole Region during southbound migration. Telemetry data showed that birds from separate breeding populations subdivide the region in both space and time, using different migratory routes and stopover periods rather than mixing broadly across the landscape. This spatial and temporal segregation has implications for habitat management and conservation planning, helping state wildlife managers target migration‑period protections for this declining species across a highly altered and strategically important region.
Technologies to Optimize Shorebird Tracking
Partners from the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Australia evaluated the success of dorsally mounted tracking tag deployments in 37 shorebird species, analyzing how power source, data retrieval method, and attachment type influence outcomes. The synthesis of 2,745 tracker deployments revealed that lighter, solar-powered tags with satellite data retrieval and leg-loop harnesses were most likely to achieve intended tracking durations, while many deployments failed due to tracker or attachment issues.
Read the study: Power source, data retrieval method, and attachment type affect success of dorsally mounted tracking tag deployments in 37 species of shorebirds
Peregrine Populations Trending Up
USGS and partners conducted a comprehensive status assessment of peregrine falcons in North America using integrated population models. Analysis revealed positive population growth in both northern and southern management populations, with survival and productivity rates varying by age and region, and no continental-scale declines associated with recent avian influenza outbreaks. These findings provide state wildlife managers with robust, data-driven insights to guide conservation and management strategies for peregrine falcons across varied landscapes.
Read the study: Status assessment of peregrine falcons in North America using integrated population models
Kestrel Declines Linked to Summer Survival
A continental-scale assessment of American kestrel population trends and vital rates using integrated population models revealed a 29% decline in kestrel population size from 1986 to 2019, with declines linked to reduced summer survival rates in juveniles and adult males, while winter survival rates increased but did not offset overall losses. Findings will help managers identify priority regions and demographic targets for conservation action, supporting more strategic and adaptive management of kestrel populations across North America.
Read the study: American kestrel population trends and vital rates at the continental scale
HPAI Drives Rough-Legged Hawk Mortality
Telemetry data from 71 rough-legged hawks tracked across all major North American migratory flyways during the 2022–2023 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak revealed a 28% cause-specific mortality rate attributed to HPAI, with overall mortality (47%) far exceeding baseline rates. Most HPAI-related deaths occurred in the Central and Atlantic flyways during pre-breeding migration, likely due to hawks scavenging or preying on infected waterfowl. The study demonstrates that movement data can pinpoint sources of mortality and help state wildlife managers understand and respond to disease-driven population declines in raptors.
Read the study: Increased mortality rates caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in a migratory raptor
Avian Influenza Spillover into Poultry
USGS and partners investigated the mechanisms and risks of avian influenza spillover from wild birds to domestic poultry, emphasizing the importance of integrated surveillance across wildlife and agricultural sectors. Early detection and coordinated response can significantly reduce the impact of outbreaks, especially in regions with high poultry density. Findings support the development of joint monitoring programs, rapid communication protocols, and targeted biosecurity measures to protect both wildlife and agricultural interests.
Read the study: Avian influenza spillover into poultry: environmental influences and biosecurity protections
Joint Venture Bird Monitoring Decision Tool
The Joint Venture Bird Monitoring Decision Tool streamlines survey design for bird monitoring by guiding users through a series of questions to recommend tailored methods and resources, reducing complexity and improving accessibility for conservation organizations, land trusts, birding groups, and state and federal agency staff. Its applications include supporting evidence-based decisions, optimizing monitoring protocols to meet specific management objectives, and connecting users to curated databases and cost comparison tools for efficient resource allocation. By facilitating the selection of appropriate survey techniques and leveraging existing data sources, this new tool empowers bird partners to enhance conservation outcomes and adapt to evolving standards in bird monitoring.
Go to the tool: Joint Venture Bird Monitoring Decision Tool
Delaware Bay Red Knots Numbers Stable
The 2025 passage population of Red Knots at Delaware Bay was estimated at 54,043 individuals (95% credible interval: 47,926–61,928), marking a 17% increase over 2024 and only the second year since 2011 to exceed 50,000 birds. Despite this uptick, overlapping credible intervals indicate a stable stopover population, and migration timing has remained consistent, with half the population arriving by May 18 and no evidence of earlier migration since 2011. These results are part of the Adaptive Resource Management framework for horseshoe crab harvest levels that maintain adequate foraging opportunities for Red Knots and other shorebirds.
Adult Golden-winged Warbler Survival Consistent Across Regions
A range-wide analysis of adult golden-winged warbler survival found no substantial differences between sexes or between the Great Lakes and Appalachian regional populations, as credible intervals overlapped for all estimates. Site-specific and sex-specific survival estimates also showed no clear geographic or demographic patterns, suggesting that factors other than adult survival—such as productivity or juvenile recruitment—are likely driving recent population declines. The study emphasizes the need for standardized, collaborative efforts and improved data collection to inform conservation strategies for this declining species.
Read the study: Apparent annual survival of adult Golden-winged Warblers (Vermivora chrysoptera) may not differ by sex or region
Osprey Reproduction Deficits in Chesapeake Bay
Recent monitoring of ospreys in Chesapeake Bay revealed significant reproductive deficits, with high-salinity areas functioning as demographic sinks and low-salinity areas as demographic sources. Breeding metrics—including clutch size, nesting failure, and brood reduction—showed greater food stress in high-salinity sites, and contemporary reproductive performance in these areas has declined substantially compared to the 1980s. Although several factors are operating within this ecosystem that may affect osprey productivity, this research suggests that Atlantic menhaden availability is the primary driver of low reproduction. These findings highlight osprey as a sentinel for Bay health and underscore the need for fisheries management that balances seafood harvest with ecosystem integrity to sustain both wildlife and coastal communities.
Read the study: Widespread reproductive deficits in Chesapeake Bay ospreys
Game Birds
Managing Water Depths for Geese
Research tracking 78 greater white-fronted geese in Louisiana revealed that winter habitat use was greatest at sites with water depths greater than 5.1 cm and wet areas were consistently used compared to dry sites, suggesting that new agricultural flooding regimes could improve habitat quality and help mitigate effects of recent winter distribution shifts. These findings offer practical guidance for state managers, emphasizing the importance of water depth management and targeted habitat enhancement to support goose populations in changing landscapes.
Effects of harvest strategies on Canada goose population dynamics
USGS and partners evaluated the effectiveness of liberalized hunting regulations on temperate-breeding Canada goose populations in Arkansas from 2005 to 2020, focusing on survival, harvest probabilities, abundance, and recovery distribution. Key findings indicate that while liberalized hunting regulations had short-term effects on survival, adult harvest probabilities declined, and adult survival slightly increased over time. Juvenile abundance decreased, suggesting potential issues with productivity or recruitment, despite limited dispersal of the geese outside of Arkansas.
Nongame Birds
King Rail Occupancy Stable within Scarce Habitat
King rail occupancy in the Arkansas Delta remained stable between 2005 and 2017, despite high interannual variation, as emergent wetland habitat—the species’ primary requirement—also stabilized in spatial extent. However, these wetlands comprise less than 1% of the Delta, highlighting that suitable habitat is in critically short supply even as occupancy rates hold steady. The findings underscore an urgent opportunity for managers to conserve existing emergent wetlands and create new ones to support king rail populations and broader marsh bird viability in the region.
Read the study: Rallus elegans (King Rail) occupancy is stable, but habitat is in short supply in the Arkansas Delta
Adult Golden-winged Warbler Survival Consistent Across Regions
A range-wide analysis of adult golden-winged warbler survival found no substantial differences between sexes or between the Great Lakes and Appalachian regional populations, as credible intervals overlapped for all estimates. Site-specific and sex-specific survival estimates also showed no clear geographic or demographic patterns, suggesting that factors other than adult survival—such as productivity or juvenile recruitment—are likely driving recent population declines. The study emphasizes the need for standardized, collaborative efforts and improved data collection to inform conservation strategies for this declining species.
Read the study: Apparent annual survival of adult Golden-winged Warblers (Vermivora chrysoptera) may not differ by sex or region
Optimizing Habitat for Shorebirds in Louisiana
Research at two restored coastal Louisiana sites found that shorebird abundance and behavior were most strongly influenced by remotely sensed habitat variables—such as sediment composition, moisture, and vegetative cover—rather than restoration phase. The direction and strength of these relationships varied among focal species, highlighting the importance of site-specific habitat features for shorebird management. These findings suggest that integrating remote sensing metrics into restoration design and management can help land managers better understand and optimize habitat for shorebirds in coastal Louisiana.
Game Birds
Long-term Declines in Greater Sage-grouse
Updated analysis of greater sage-grouse populations across their range shows a persistent long-term decline, with an average annual decrease of 2.9% between 1966 and 2021 and cumulative losses of up to 78.8% over 55 years. Population trends varied among climate clusters, but all regions experienced substantial declines, underscoring the need for targeted management and conservation actions. These findings provide state and federal managers with the best available science to guide conservation planning related to sustaining sage-grouse populations and their sagebrush ecosystems.
Read the study: Range-wide population trend analysis for greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus)—Updated 1960–2024
Nongame Birds
Piping Plover Nest Survival in Natural and Artificial Habitats
Research in the lower Platte River system found that nest survival rates for threatened piping plovers were similar in both natural river sandbars and human-created habitats, with extrinsic factors like temperature and proximity to tern nests influencing outcomes. This suggests that off-river sites can provide viable nesting habitat in the short term, but predicted declines in these habitats may reduce overall breeding productivity and population viability. Prioritizing early season nests, leveraging the benefits of tern proximity, and monitoring climate trends are key strategies for plover management, while long-term conservation efforts may benefit from sustaining both natural and artificial habitats to support population recovery.
Read the study: Extrinsic factors similarly affect nest survival of a threatened shorebird in natural and human-created habitats
Annual Grass Invasion Reshapes Songbird Communities
Annual grass invasion is fundamentally transforming sagebrush-steppe ecosystems, driving shifts in songbird communities by favoring generalist species over specialists. Although local songbird diversity may increase with grass invasion, ongoing reorganization at larger scales signals heterogeneous impacts among species and guilds, with extinction debts potentially obscuring long-term consequences. These findings highlight the need to prioritize conservation of sensitive songbird species and adapt strategies to address the changing composition and function of wildlife communities in invaded sagebrush landscapes.
Game Birds
Spring Weather Drives Snow Goose Breeding
Spring weather conditions were found to strongly influence breeding propensity—the most important driver of productivity—for Arctic-nesting lesser snow geese. Variability in spring temperatures and timing directly affected whether geese initiated breeding, with implications for population dynamics and annual recruitment. This research suggests that monitoring and forecasting spring weather patterns would be beneficial to inform conservation strategies and anticipate productivity shifts in Arctic-nesting waterfowl.
Surveillance Clarifies Alaska HPAI Impacts
Research by USGS and partners indicated that while the 2022 outbreak of HPAI among wild birds in Alaska’s Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta affected at least seven wild bird species, acute impacts on avian population health were likely modest, with evidence of infection, antibody prevalence, and some reduction in nesting for key species. These results underscore the value of integrated surveillance and monitoring to assess disease impacts, inform rapid response, and guide conservation actions during future outbreaks.
Species‑Specific Mercury Risk in Ducks
Analysis of northern shoveler and cinnamon teal from Great Salt Lake revealed persistent, elevated mercury concentrations, with in vivo detoxification occurring through methylmercury demethylation and complexation with selenium. Researchers found taxonomic differences in detoxification rates and tissue mercury levels, indicating that total mercury is not an effective proxy for methylmercury exposure risk. These findings have important implications for waterfowl consumption advisories and highlight the need for species-specific assessments of mercury toxicity to better understand risks to wildlife and human health.
Read the study: Comparing in vivo methylmercury detoxification in hunted duck: Implications for wildlife and human health
Nongame Birds
Beluga, AK Refugium Boosts Hudsonian Godwit Nest Survival
Over the past 15 years, habitat changes in Beluga, Alaska—including increased vegetation and drying of muskeg bogs—have not reduced available nest sites or survival rates for Hudsonian godwits. Instead, nest survival increased by approximately 22% over this time period, indicating that these habitats currently buffer godwits from negative climate effects and support population stability. However, the long-term sustainability of this climate refugium remains uncertain, and continued monitoring is recommended to ensure ongoing benefits for vulnerable species.
Genetic Diversity and Rainfall Shape Cactus Wren Survival
Survival of the coastal cactus wren in southern California’s fragmented urban landscapes is strongly influenced by both genetic diversity and environmental conditions, with higher survival rates observed in individuals with greater heterozygosity and during years of increased precipitation. Age class was the most significant predictor of survival, and evidence suggests that inbreeding depression is a key concern for these populations. These findings support the value of genetic rescue and habitat management efforts to improve fitness and mitigate further loss of genetic variation in rare, urban-dwelling songbirds.
Read the study: Genetic and environmental factors associated with survival of a rare songbird in a fragmented urban landscape
Sapsucker Wells Are Keystone Resources
Sapsucker wells serve as keystone nutritional resources, attracting a diverse array of secondary consumers—including birds, mammals, and invertebrates—across multiple habitat types in south-central Colorado. Modern detection methods such as camera traps and environmental DNA analyses revealed additional sap-well visitors not identified by direct observation, highlighting the importance of technology in understanding ecosystem interactions. These findings underscore the ecological significance of sapsucker wells and suggest that enhanced detection methods can inform conservation and ecosystem management strategies.