Eastern Forest Birds
Some encouraging increases, yet widespread declines continue
Obligate eastern forest breeding birds have lost more than a
quarter of their populations since 1970. Losses are widespread, with two-thirds of species declining across 40% of their breeding ranges. Differences in trends among species can be partly explained by changes in forest structure and composition related to harvesting practices, forest succession, and disturbance regimes like fire. Birds that breed in mature forests, such as Hooded Warbler, are generally doing well across much of their ranges since 2012, whereas species like the Prairie Warbler and Field Sparrow that need regenerating or disturbed forests continue to plummet.

eBird Trends for Obligate Eastern Forest Birds

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Disturbance-Dependent Birds Are In Trouble
Steep declines continue for birds that use shrubby areas or older forests with canopy gaps and diverse understories. Without disturbance or active management, forests progress toward closed-canopy conditions that lack the structural complexity and tree species needed by many disturbance-dependent birds.
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A Hotspot of Loss in the Southeast
Tipping Point species such as Bachman’s Sparrow are declining where pine forests face pressures from short-rotation harvesting and pest outbreaks. Most forests in the Southeast are on private lands, so conservation requires voluntary and incentive-based programs.
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Big Losses Along the East Coast
Declines for eastern forest birds were especially prominent along the Atlantic Coast, partly due to habitat loss from residential development and agriculture. Efforts to conserve forest and natural areas in these regions can also enhance the resilience of coastal communities against storms and flooding.
Birds Need Annual-Cycle Conservation
More than 80% of birds that breed in eastern forests are migratory, including Baltimore Oriole and Rose-breasted Grosbeak—which spend more than half their year in Central and South America.
Because these birds depend upon multiple habitats across hemispheres, conservation efforts cannot be restricted to breeding areas. Cross-border bird conservation investments in Latin America can support U.S.-breeding birds after they migrate south to other nations.

Acadian Flycatcher
American Woodcock
Bachman’s Sparrow
Blue-winged Warbler
Brown Thrasher
Brown-headed Nuthatch
Cerulean Warbler
Chuck-will’s-widow
Eastern Towhee
Eastern Whip-poor-will
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Field Sparrow
Golden-winged Warbler
Hooded Warbler
Kentucky Warbler
Louisiana Waterthrush
Pine Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Prothonotary Warbler
Red-cockaded Woodpecker
Red-headed Woodpecker
Scarlet Tanager
Swainson’s Warbler
Wood Thrush
Worm-eating Warbler
Yellow-throated Vireo
Yellow-throated Warbler