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Dorie Klissas
16 Shorebird Species Reclassified to Higher Threat Categories
Plymouth, MA, November 7, 2024 – Manomet Conservation Sciences is calling for immediate action to address the alarming decline in global shorebird populations, highlighted by the latest update to the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. This update shows that 16 migratory shorebird species in the Americas have been reclassified to higher threat categories, with some populations decreasing by over a third in recent decades.
Since its inception in 1964, the IUCN Red List has become the world’s most extensive resource for assessing extinction risks across species. Contributing to the latest findings, a May 2023 study in Ornithological Applications, titled “Accelerating Declines of North America’s Shorebirds Signal the Need for Urgent Conservation Action,” conducted by Stephen Brown, PhD, Vice President of Science at Manomet, and colleagues, analyzed shorebird migration data from 1980 to 2019 across North America. The study revealed that more than half of North American shorebird species have seen declines of 50%, with these decreases accelerating over the most recent generations for many species.
“This development is a wakeup call for coordinated conservation efforts to reverse species declines and restore essential habitats across shorebird flyways,” says Rob Clay, PhD, Vice President of Flyways at Manomet Conservation Sciences. “Effective collaboration among governments, scientists, and local communities is critical to tackle the urgent threats of habitat loss, climate change, and other stressors that endanger these species and the ecosystems they represent.”
“Many species have moved from lower to higher threat categories, with some listed as globally threatened for the first time. This reflects a significant increase in their extinction risk,” explained Juliana Bosi de Almeida, PhD, Managing Director of Flyways at Manomet Conservation Sciences.
“The plight of migratory shorebirds signals an urgent need for global conservation action,” said Elizabeth Schueler, President of Manomet Conservation Sciences. “The fact that so many shorebird populations have experienced drastic declines reflects broader ecosystem instability, with severe implications not just for birds but for the health of coastal communities and the people who depend on these habitats.”
Shorebirds, which rely on specific migratory routes and critical stopover sites to rest and feed, are especially vulnerable to threats from habitat degradation, climate change, and human pressures. Protecting these birds is vital for wildlife and maintaining coastal ecosystems that provide essential services, such as storm protection, food resources, and livelihoods for millions worldwide. Examples of impacted species are as follows:
- Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres): This vibrant shorebird, known for flipping stones to uncover food, is now classified as Near Threatened. Found in Delaware Bay, the ruddy turnstone is closely linked to the fate of the horseshoe crab. As horseshoe crab populations have declined, so have crucial food sources for this bird, which relies on horseshoe crab eggs to fuel its 19,000-mile migration from South America to the Arctic.
- Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Calidris subruficollis): Breeding on the Arctic tundra, this sandpiper relies on short-grass prairies, fields, and meadows during migration and winter. Recently reclassified as Vulnerable, the Buff-breasted Sandpiper faces new challenges that have prompted innovative conservation efforts, including partnerships with cattle ranchers to create habitats that benefit livestock and migratory birds.
- Hudsonian Godwit (Limosa haemastica): Recently reclassified from Least Concern to Vulnerable, the Hudsonian Godwit is renowned for its endurance. It can fly nonstop for up to six days without stopping to eat, drink, or rest. This feat highlights both the species’ resilience and the urgent need to protect the habitats that support such remarkable migrations.
Manomet has been committed to advancing science-driven solutions for conserving shorebirds and their habitats, working collaboratively with global partners to reverse these alarming trends. For example, the U.S. population of the American Oystercatcher has rebounded, and the Piping Plover shows promising trends. Manomet has led the Oystercatcher Recovery Working Group for over a decade, exceeding its original goal of a 30% population increase by achieving a 45% rebound, demonstrating the impact of focused conservation work.
“Effective collaboration among governments, scientists, and local communities, along with increased funding, is crucial to addressing the urgent threats of habitat loss, climate change, and other stressors that endanger these species and the ecosystems they represent,” added Clay.
About Manomet
Manomet is a science-driven conservation organization with deep roots in bird conservation. We have teams across the Western Hemisphere focused on improving the health of flyways and ecosystems challenged by climate change and human activities. Our goal is to reverse the decline of shorebirds, promote coastal resilience, and educate and empower the next generation of conservationists.