A Bittersweet Serenade of North American Songbirds

Since the early twentieth century, research has shown that the abundance of singing birds has significantly declined in North America. Although the decline was starkest between 1966 and 2014, it has only worsened since then. The current number of birds is about two-thirds of what it was in the 1970s. The causes of this deterioration are manifold, and stem from changes to the land itself, as well as our own interventions.

The cause of the decline is, in large part, due to the loss of habitat. In the 1950s and 1960s, development of land-intensive activities such as logging, mining and oil drilling began to hurt avian populations. The destruction of wetlands has led to the decline of aquatic bird species, and cleared and tilled land has caused added endangerment to grassland and other species. Additionally, in North America, almost 37% of all Songbirds are migratory, overwintering in Mexico or the Caribbean. Thus, the region is subject to a double-blow of destruction: the alteration of its habitats, and the destruction of the wintering grounds.

Climate change, too, may be impacting avian populations in North America. Migration patterns are changing as a result of rising temperatures, leading to birds traveling through unfamiliar landscapes or unexpected weather conditions during their flight. In addition, changing temperatures may also be influencing the availability of food, as regional concentrations of insects and other potential prey may be affected by changing weather patterns.

The threat to birds is not limited to habitat destruction and climate change, either. Birds increasingly face threats from light pollution and communications towers, both of which can interfere with the sensitive biological clocks of migratory birds, as well as interfere with their nesting and courtship behavior. Additionally, domestic cats may be a threat to bird life, as they compete for the same food source and threaten nests, leading to fledglings being killed.

We humans, too, are ultimately responsible for the birds’ fate. We must work to restore ecosystems and implement more sustainable practices. We must reduce the use of pollutants in our air, land and water, and protect remaining areas of natural habitat. Finally, we too must become more aware of the plight of songbirds, birds of all sizes and shapes, and give them the space they need to thrive. The beauty of the night sky, the morning call of a meadow lark: these are things worth bringing back, and preserving for future generations. The practice of learning birdsongs even transcended species: some cultures used birds as a way to teach humans to sing, and certain species of birds have been enlisted to help educate children. While the practice of bird-learning has faded in modern times, many people still devote their lives to studying the beauty of birdsongs.

Today, birdsongs can provide an audible respite from the hustle and bustle of life—or fill us with a feeling of joy and peace. They refocus us to the beauty of the natural world, reminding us of the power of nature and how truly connected we are to the environment