Mass Bird Decline: Citizen Scientists Join Forces with Researchers to Solve the Mystery

Bird populations are declining across North America, with grassland and shorebirds experiencing the most drastic reductions. Scientists from Cornell University and the Wildlife Conservation Society are studying this phenomenon, utilizing data from the eBird citizen science project. "Many species, most species in fact, are declining most severely where they're also most abundant," explains Amanda Rodewald of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. This decline is attributed to factors such as invasive species, habitat loss, pollution, and climate change. Gautam Surya of the Wildlife Conservation Society notes that humans can help by using bird-friendly window decals to reduce collisions. The collaborative effort between scientists and citizen scientists offers hope for finding solutions and protecting these vital components of our ecosystems.