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Kirtland’s warblers escape the Great Lakes region every year to winter in the Bahamas. But before you get envious of these rare yellow-chested birds’ warm winter vacation, consider the obstacles they have to overcome on their journey: about 85% of adult bird deaths occur during migration.
This number describes the risks of all adult migratory birds, not just Kirtland’s warblers, and it may increase. Migration through the Midwest is thought to be especially risky, as the region is full of hazards for a small bird crossing the country. Vast agricultural landscapes mean fewer places to rest and more work to find food. Large structures, from buildings in concentrated urban centers like downtown Chicago to isolated cell phone towers, result in bird deaths. Many bird species navigate the Great Lakes region during their migrations, providing remarkable bird watching opportunities for people as hundreds of millions of birds pass through—and presenting immense risks for the birds.
Kirtland’s warblers are already rare because of their rigid habitat requirements—they breed only in jack pine forests in the Great Lakes region. Already endangered, the warblers travel 3,000 miles each year—from the Midwest to the Bahamas and back—a trip that puts them at greater risk of death because of human activity.
What is The Nature Conservancy doing?
Conservancy scientists are working to protect the Kirtland’s warblers’ winter habitat in the Bahamas by training Bahamians in conservation techniques and working with local landowners to study these birds. On a broader level, The Nature Conservancy’s Migratory Bird Program protects critical habitats for birds throughout the Western hemisphere by identifying networks of habitats needed by bird species throughout North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Learn more about the Conservancy's Migratory Bird Program.
Action starts when people talk.
In the midst of dire messages about changing habitats and threats of extinction, there is hope. Because species like Kirtland’s warblers rely just as much on the breeding grounds of Great Lakes as the warm winters of the Bahamas, there are many opportunities for action. First, start a conversation about the issue with friends, family and colleagues. Take a look at our Conversation Starters for relevant and compelling facts. And, learn more about our work by visiting related projects on the Conservancy’s web site, nature.org.
