The Golden-winged Warbler currently has one of the smallest populations of any songbird not listed as endangered—only an estimated 400,000 breeding adults remain. This species has experienced an astonishing decline of 66% since the 1960s! Habitat loss is the primary driver of this decrease, and if we don’t take action now, the Golden-winged Warbler could one day be at risk of becoming extinct.
The Golden-winged Warbler is at a precipice and is one of the Tipping Point species amid the ongoing climate crisis. It has lost 50% of its population in the last 50 years and suffered one of the largest population declines of any songbird. It has also been deteriorating in the southern parts of its breeding range.
North American birds are declining in almost every habitat, and the Golden-winged Warbler is no exception. This songbird’s staggering population losses are mainly because its forest home is steadily shrinking.
And in the Appalachian Mountains, the situation is even worse. Almost the entire Golden-winged Warbler population—98% of it—has disappeared.
Golden-winged Warblers rely on young shrubby forests in their breeding range, but those forests have declined significantly over the past 50 years due to various threats from wildfires to flooding to agriculture and human development. These forests now exist mostly on privately owned land. We partner with a network of landowners who aim to help their working lands become sustainable for birds and people. They dedicate a part of their property to bird conservation, altering the land management practices they are accustomed to in order to make a positive impact.
The birds we love need protection
The Golden-winged Warbler has suffered one of the biggest population declines of any songbird.
Breeding adults make up one of the smallest populations of any songbird outside the Endangered Species List.
We are studying the movements of Golden-winged Warbler to better protect them.
We're dedicated to protecting birds impacted by habitat loss from Golden-winged Warblers to Snowy Owls. But to continue our partnerships and ensure all our beloved birds are protected for generations to come, we're counting on generous people like you to donate today. Will you be one of them?
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