Environment & Climate

Global assessment finds one in nine migratory birds face extinction

The Guardian reports that nearly half of migratory bird species are declining globally.

Updated Sep 11, 2026 · 11:50 UTC1 reports

The short version

A global assessment shows that one in nine migratory bird species face extinction, while 45% are experiencing population declines.[The Guardian]
Over the past 150 years, seven migratory bird species have been confirmed or suspected to have gone extinct worldwide.[The Guardian]
Major pressures include habitat degradation, with 58% of 1,099 monitored key biodiversity areas found to be in poor or very poor condition.[The Guardian]
To counter habitat loss, three development banks have integrated flyway conservation into lending frameworks, allocating $6bn in funding.[The Guardian]

One in nine migratory bird species face extinction risk, and 45% of migratory species are declining.[The Guardian]
Seven migratory bird species have been confirmed or are suspected to have become extinct over the last 150 years.[The Guardian]
Between 13.1 million and 42.7 million migratory birds are illegally killed or taken annually across Europe, the Mediterranean, the Caucasus, and the Arabian peninsula.[The Guardian]
Monitoring over the last decade indicates 58% of 1,099 key biodiversity areas for migratory birds are in poor or very poor condition.[The Guardian]
Three development banks have integrated flyway conservation into lending frameworks to provide $6bn for route restoration and protection.[The Guardian]

Whether all seven migratory bird species lost over the last 150 years are definitively extinct or only suspected to be extinct remains unconfirmed.[The Guardian]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.