Enviro News Asia, Abu Dhabi —The global biodiversity crisis onc e again took center stage at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on October 10, 2025. A new report from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) highlights the alarming global decline in bird populations, driven by deforestation and the expansion of agricultural activities.
A comprehensive assessment of 11,185 bird species conducted by BirdLife International revealed concerning results: 61% of the world’s bird species are now in decline, a sharp increase from 44% in 2016. Furthermore, 1,256 species (11.5%) are currently classified as globally threatened.
Habitat loss caused by tropical deforestation remains the primary driver of this population decline, particularly in Madagascar, West Africa, and Central America.
In Madagascar, 14 endemic forest bird species have been uplisted to Near Threatened status, including Schlegel’s asity (Philepitta schlegeli), whose males are known for their striking blue-green facial coloration. Meanwhile, in West Africa, the black-casqued hornbill (Ceratogymna atrata) has also been classified as Near Threatened due to pressures from hunting and the wildlife trade.
“Three out of five bird species worldwide are now in decline. This is a stark warning for governments to strengthen real actions in line with their commitments under various international conventions,”
stressed Dr. Ian Burfield, Global Science Coordinator (Species) at BirdLife International.
Burfield added that the Rodrigues warbler (Acrocephalus rodericanus) on Rodrigues Island — which has recovered from Critically Endangered in 1996 to Least Concern today — demonstrates that consistent and collaborative habitat restoration can reverse the threat of extinction.
Birds play a vital role in maintaining ecosystem balance, from pollination and seed dispersal to natural pest control.
For example, hornbills can disperse up to 12,700 large seeds per square kilometer per day, aiding tropical forest regeneration and contributing to carbon storage.
However, threats such as intensive agriculture, illegal logging, invasive species, hunting, trapping, and climate change continue to accelerate the loss of bird diversity worldwide.
The IUCN Red List 2025 update serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need for global collective action to protect remaining species. While many bird and mammal populations continue to decline, the recovery of green turtles and several endemic birds demonstrates that science-based conservation, political will, and community involvement can still reverse the global biodiversity crisis. (*)
