Key Findings
This report builds on two significant Mass Audubon initiatives — State of the Birds 2011 and the Massachusetts Breeding Bird Atlas 2 (Atlas 2). These projects used the best available science to identify which bird species are declining and which are doing well in the Commonwealth, and they represent important stepping-stones along the path toward building an evidence-based bird conservation strategy for all the breeding species in Massachusetts.
Overall, noting the 181 species for which we have the best data, about 60% are increasing or stable while about 40% are in need of continued monitoring or urgent conservation action.
Listed below are the habitats and behaviors of breeding species that are declining, and examples of species.
- Grassland birds and birds of agricultural landscapes — Eastern Meadowlark
- Coastal-nesting species — Roseate Tern
- Birds of shrublands and young forests — Brown Thrasher
- Ground-nesting birds — Killdeer
- Aerial insectivores (species that eat insects that are in the air) – Cliff Swallow
- Freshwater marsh-nesting birds — American Bittern
- Long-distance migrants — Wood Thrush
- Birds at the southern edge of their breeding range — Purple Finch
Factors documented to be causing, at least in part, these declines include:
- Habitat loss in Massachusetts as well as on the wintering grounds
- Habitat fragmentation and degradation in Massachusetts as well as on the wintering grounds
- Toxic chemicals affecting the birds and their food
- Ground predators (including domestic cats) and habitat “engineers” such as deer
- Collisions with windows, power lines, cars
- Climate change
There is also good news for many of our breeding birds. Included among these increasing species are:
- Wooded freshwater swamp-breeding species and species that use rivers, lakes, and ponds — Hooded Merganser
- Species that nest on human structures or use nest boxes — Osprey
- Many forest-nesting species — Cooper’s Hawk
- Suburban-adapted breeding species — Carolina Wren
Recommendations in this document stress our need to:
- Support a net gain of land in agriculture in Massachusetts
- Encourage everyone to embrace Massachusetts-based agricultural products
- Develop tools for both foresters and farmers to encourage bird-friendly management options on their lands
- Develop plans to increase shrubland maintenance and creation in sustainable locations
- Continue to support initiatives by the state to census rare species and defend the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act
- Educate the public and engage in projects to mitigate anticipated climate change stress
- Manage our communities sustainably, especially by reducing sprawl, limiting our use of pesticides, and preventing outdoor roaming of domestic cats
- Develop tools to address key land management issues such as the role White-tailed Deer play in altering the structure of the forests in suburban Massachusetts and strategies for weighing management options