Birds in Colorado and nationwide are vanishing — fast

By the numbers: In the past 50 years, Colorado species like the mountain plover and Baird's sparrow have seen population crashes over 67%, per the North American Bird Conservation Initiative's 2025 State of the Birds report.

• The pinyon jay — a signature species of Colorado's pinyon-juniper woodlands — has lost 70% of its population. It's now labeled a "Tipping Point" species, meaning it could vanish without urgent conservation action​.

Zoom out: Since 1970, nearly half of aridland birds and 43% of grassland birds across the U.S., including the Western meadowlark in Colorado, have disappeared.

Between the lines: A blow to birds is a blow to the economy. From birding tourism to pest control and pollination, birds generate nearly $280 billion annually for the U.S. economy, the report finds.

What they're saying: "It's a reality check for us, every time we do one of these," Mike Brasher, co-chair of the report's science committee, told Audubon magazine.

• "Threats to birds [and] bird habitat are as great now as they have ever been, and they're accelerating, in most cases," Brasher said.

The big picture: It's not just Colorado. Researchers tracked species nationwide and found declines almost everywhere — even among birds once thought resilient, like waterfowl.

• Roughly one-third of U.S. bird species — 229 in total — are now classified as high or moderate conservation concerns.

Yes, but: There are signs of hope. Thanks to wetland protections, dabbling and diving duck populations have jumped 24% since 1970, while waterbirds are up 16%, per the report.

What's next: Scientists are calling for bigger investments in habitat protection — particularly on private lands and in partnership with local communities and Indigenous nations.

• Colorado is answering that call. In the past year, the state added nearly 2,000 acres of wildlife habitat through the purchase of Collard Ranch and an additional 120 acres in Park County — both slated to open to the public this year.