More than half of world’s bird species in decline, as leaders meet on extinction crisis

A male Schlegel’s asity bird perched in a forest in Madagascar. Scientists found 61% of assessed bird species are declining. Photograph: Doug McCutcheon/Alamy

More than half of all bird species are in decline, according to a new global assessment, with deforestation driving sharp falls in populations across the planet.

On the eve of a key biodiversity summit in the UAE, scientists have issued a fresh warning about the health of bird populations, with 61% of assessed species now recording declines in their numbers.