Nearly half of the world’s migratory bird species are in decline due to worsening environmental threats, according to a major global conservation report launched in Kenya.

The State of the World’s Birds report, published by BirdLife International at the Global Flyways Summit in Nairobi, reveals that 45% of migratory bird species are experiencing population drops, with one in nine now threatened with extinction. Conservationists point to habitat destruction, climate change, invasive species, and illegal hunting across international migration routes as the primary drivers of the crisis.

In response, international leaders, scientists, and environmental groups signed the Nairobi Flyways Declaration, committing to cross-border co-operation to safeguard critical forests, wetlands, and coastal ecosystems.

Speaking at the summit, BirdLife International Chief Executive Martin Harper stressed that urgent regional collaboration is required to protect these species throughout their seasonal journeys. “Today at the Global Flyways Summit in Nairobi, BirdLife International released the State of the World’s Birds Report focused on migratory birds and the findings send a really clear warning,” Harper said. “45% of migratory bird species are now in decline and one in nine faces extinction. But today has also been about action. Here at the summit, leaders, scientists and conservation organizations signed the Nairobi Flyways Declaration, committing to stronger co-operation across borders to protect the wetlands, forests, coastal and marine habitats that migratory birds depend on throughout their journeys.”

–ChannelAfrica–