News & Events
2025 U.S. State of the Birds Report
2025
Report Produced by a Coalition of Science & Conservation Organizations
The 2025 State of the Birds Report was released on March 13, 2025. This report reveals a continued widespread decline in North American bird populations across many different habitats (see Figure below). This report comes on the heels of the landmark 2019 report that documented a loss of almost 3 billion birds over the last 50 years. The current report highlights bird population declines in almost every habitat and group, even waterfowl, a group that was one of the bright spots in the 2019 report. To learn more about the 2025 report, which is produced by a coalition of leading science and conservation organizations, click here. (Figure Courtesy of Cornell Lab of Ornithology)
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Global Big Day
May 10, 2025
Participate in This Year's Global Big Day
The 2025 Global Big Day is scheduled for Saturday, May 10. Global Big Day is an annual celebration where you can submit the observations you make via eBird. You can record birds you see around your home, or get to your favorite birding hotspots. Your observations help scientists better understand the distribution and abundance of birds. Participation is easy; click here for details.
Friends of the Patoka River NWR
May 17, 2025
'Otterly' Amazing Otters Presented by Friends of the Patoka River NWR
On Saturday, May 17, 2025, join the Friends of the Patoka River NWR for a presentation titled, "'Otterly' Amazing Otters"at 10 am CDT at Boyd Station at Snakey Point Marsh. Following the program on the otters you will be able to take a guided hike on the Otter Runs Trail to look for signs of otters. The hike will last about one hour and you should be dressed appropriately for a muddy walk. Click here for more details.
Bird Name Changes are in the Works
2024
The American Ornithological Society is Proposing Changing Bird Names that Honor People
The American Ornithological Union (AOU) plans to change the English names of bird species named after people, as well as bird names deemed offensive or exclusionary. Some changes have already occurred, such as, McCown's longspur renamed to the Thick-billed Longspur and the Old Squaw Duck now known officially as the Long-tailed Duck. As many as 70-80 additional bird species in the United States and Canada are being considered by the AOU for formal name changes. Reasons for the changes are outlined in an NPR article and you can click here to read more. So, look forward to bird name changes to occur in the near future.
Making Your Windows Safer For Birds
2024
A Guide is Available to Reduce the Number of Bird Collisions with Windows
The Bird Window Collision Working Group--a collaboration between Acopian Center for Ornithology, Muhlenberg College, local Audubon chapters and the Audubon Pennsylvania--have produced a brochure that covers what you can do to help reduce the number of window bird collisions. It provides information on what works well and what doesn't work in reducing collisions and making your windows safer for birds. You can download the brochure here.