Archive · 15 Sep 2026
Migratory Bird Declines Prompt Landmark Global Conservation Declaration
A new report says many birds that travel between countries are disappearing.
About 45% of migratory bird species are declining.
Around one in nine may become extinct.
The Slender-billed Curlew has already disappeared.
Birds face dangers such as pollution, hunting, habitat loss, and climate change.
They need safe places in several countries during their journeys.
More than 100 organizations signed a declaration to work together.
Experts say the agreement is helpful, but protecting the birds will require years of continued action.
BirdLife International reports that 45% of migratory bird species are declining and about one in nine faces extinction.
The Slender-billed Curlew has been confirmed extinct after last being seen in Morocco in 1995.
Invasive species, intensive agriculture, hunting, pollution, climate change, and habitat loss threaten migratory birds.
More than 100 organizations signed a Nairobi declaration calling for cooperation across entire migratory routes.
The declaration is backed by billions in development finance, while conservationists warn that long-term action is still needed.
- Who
- BirdLife International, governments, scientific organizations, and conservation groups, including Nature Kenya, are involved.
- What
- A report found widespread declines among migratory birds, while more than 100 organizations signed a joint conservation declaration.
- When
- The report was unveiled during the Global Flyways Summit from September 8 to 11.
- Where
- The summit and declaration took place in Nairobi, Kenya; the birds travel across international flyways.
- Why
- Migratory birds face habitat loss, invasive species, intensive agriculture, hunting, pollution, and climate change across their breeding, stopover, and wintering sites.
- Declining species
- 45% of the world's migratory bird species are declining.
- Extinction risk
- About one in nine migratory species faces extinction.
- Confirmed extinction
- The Slender-billed Curlew was confirmed extinct; it was last seen in Morocco in 1995.
- Summit location
- Nairobi, Kenya.
- Participating organizations
- More than 100 governments, scientific bodies, and conservation groups signed the declaration.
- Major threats
- Invasive species, agricultural intensification, unsustainable hunting, pollution, habitat loss, and climate change.
- Finance
- The declaration is backed by billions in development finance.