Endangered Bird Population by State

Timothy Hill

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Across the United States bird populations have seen a massive decline. This article will cover the endangered birds of each state. It will not include any threatened bird species. Only those with extreme risk of near extinction in their region. There are several reasons why birds are losing their populations in the United States. Action is dire to prevent the loss of a myriad of valuable and beautiful birds. 

Endangered Birds in the United States?

Birds are losing their population because of the variety of threats they face. Human activity is the greatest cause of the population loss of many bird species. This includes factors such as habitat loss, pollution, aswell as hunting. Climate change also causes several bird populations to decline. Humans can also bring invasive species to new areas, which can take the resources from the established native birds.

Cats are another main cause of bird deaths, contributing to more than 2 billion bird deaths yearly in the United States. Birds crashing into powerlines, wind turbines, and large buildings also cause the death of millions of birds each year.

Alabama: 1 Endangered Bird Species

  • Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis)

In Alabama, the red-cockaded woodpecker lives in open forest habitats. Since their habitats have dropped to 3{272cf403bcff3cf22e9e69771caac17f4a7e39cef36aa062899cc355f3ca53b9} of their original range, it has caused this bird to become endangered. Efforts are underway to reintroduce this species. Around 600 to 800 live in the state.

In Alabama, the red-cockaded woodpecker lives in open forest habitats.

©iStock.com/spates

Alaska: 2 Endangered Bird Species

  • Eskimo curlew (Numenius borealis) 
  • Short-tailed Albatross (Phoebastria albatrus)

The Eskimo curlew population in Alaska has dropped to only around 50 individuals, and it is very likely the species will become extinct in the region. The short-tailed albatross is the rarest type of albatross and is a rare species in this state and others. 

The short-tailed albatross is the rarest type of albatross and is a rare species in this state and others.

©C. Fred Ziellerman – Public Domain by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Arizona: 4 Endangered Bird Species

  • California Least Tern (Sterna antillarum browni)
  • Masked Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus ridgwayi)
  • Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Empiodonax traillii extimus)
  • Yuma Ridgway’s Rail (Rallus obsoletus yumanensis)

Four endangered birds live in Arizona. The state’s marshes, desert, and sandy beaches are where these birds live within the state. Degradation of the state’s habitats and climate change are why these species have become endangered. 

Degradation of the state’s habitats and climate change are why these species have become endangered.

©Pacific Southwest Region USFWS from Sacramento, US / CC BY 2.0 – License

Arkansas: 2 Endangered Bird Species

Two endangered bird species live in Arkansas and are both woodpeckers. The ivory-billed woodpecker was once thought to be extinct and lives in forest habitats. Only around 200 to 400 red-cockaded woodpeckers live in Arkansas today. Conservationists are trying to establish populations of both birds in Arkansas. 

Ivorybill Woodpecker, Animal, Animal Wildlife, Beak, Bird
The ivory-billed woodpecker was once thought to be extinct and lives in forest habitats.

©iStock.com/Wirestock

California: 10 Endangered Bird Species

  • California Clapper Rail (Rallus longirostris obsoletus)
  • California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus)
  • California Least Tern (Sterna antillarum browni)
  • Hawaiian Petrel (Pterodroma sandwichensis)
  • Least Bell’s Vireo (Vireo bellini pusillus)
  • Light-footed Clapper Rail (Rallus longirostris levipes) 
  • San Clemente Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus mearnsi)
  • Short-tailed Albatross (Phoebastria albatrus)
  • Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus)
  • Yuma Ridgway’s Rail (Rallus obsoletus yumanensis) 

There are several endangered and threatened bird species in California. Climate change threatens these birds the most. Birds in the state will lose around 50{272cf403bcff3cf22e9e69771caac17f4a7e39cef36aa062899cc355f3ca53b9} of their current range by 2050. This will cause some species to become extinct, and more to become endangered. 

Head shot of a California condor in profile
Climate change threatens these birds the most.

©George Lamson/Shutterstock.com

Colorado: 2 Endangered Bird Species

  • Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus)
  • Whooping Crane (Grus americana) 

Whooping cranes are rare in Colorado, and there are around 260 individuals living in the state. Less than half of whooping cranes in Colorado are in captivity. The southwestern willow flycatcher lives in dense riparian habitats. 

Largest Crane - Whooping Crane
Whooping cranes are rare in Colorado, and there are around 260 individuals living in the state.

©Kent Ellington/Shutterstock.com

Connecticut: 1 Endangered Bird Species

  • Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii dougallii)

In Connecticut, there are around 175 to 200 pairs of terns that use the state to breed yearly. They are the only endangered bird in the state and live in coastal marshes, and beach habitats. 

Roseate Tern
In Connecticut, there are around 175 to 200 pairs of terns that use the state to breed yearly.

©Agami Photo Agency/Shutterstock.com

Delaware: 1 Endangered Bird Species

  • Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii dougallii)

The roseate tern is the only endangered bird in Delaware. They have been losing their population within the state, and other regions due to competition with other sea birds, and predation. 

Florida: 5 Endangered Bird Species

  • Bachman’s Warbler (Vermivora bachmanii)
  • Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow (Ammodramus maritimus mirabilis)
  • Everglade Snail Kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis plumbeus)
  • Florida Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum floridanus)
  • Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis)

Most of the endangered birds in Florida have mainly lost their populations due to the fragmentation of their habitats. Species rely on wetland ecosystems and everglade habitats. Droughts have caused species such as the everglades snail kite to lose most of their populations, and only have 700 individuals left. 

Other species like the Florida grasshopper sparrow only have around 80 individuals left in the wild. Legislation passed and other conservation efforts are in place to attempt to save the several bird species losing populations.

Everglades Snail kite
Most of the endangered birds in Florida have mainly lost their populations due to the fragmentation of their habitats.

©John P Ruggeri/Shutterstock.com

Georgia: 1 Endangered Bird Species

  • Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis)

The red-cockaded woodpecker is the only endangered bird in Georgia. There are several populations of these birds that live in the state. The largest populations live in the forest and coastal plain habitats. These species use old trees to build their nests and roost. 

Red-cockaded Woodpecker
The red-cockaded woodpecker is the only endangered bird in Georgia.

©Bosko/Shutterstock.com

Hawaii: 17 Endangered Bird Species

  • Akekee (Loxops caeruleirostris)
  • Akikiki (Oreomystis bairdi)
  • Band-rumped Storm-petrel (Oceanodroma castro)
  • Crested Honeycreeper (Palmeria dolei)
  • Hawaii akepa (Loxops coccineaus)
  • Hawaiian Duck (Anas wyvilliana)
  • Hawaiian Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata sandvicensis)
  • Hawaiian Coot (Fulica americana alai)
  • Hawaiian Petrel (Pterodroma sandwichensis)
  • Hawaiian Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni)
  • Laysan Duck (Anas laysanensis)
  • Laysan Finch (Telespyza cantans)
  • Maui Parrotbill (Pseudonestor xanthophrys)
  • Nihoa Finch (Telespyza ultima)
  • Nihoa Millerbird (Acrocephalus familiaris kingi)
  • Short-tailed Albatross (Phoebastria albatrus)
  • Small Kauai Thrush (Myadestes palmeri)
Maui parrotbill
Hawaii has the largest number of endangered birds than any other state.

©Zach Pezzillo, Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project, CC BY-SA 4.0 – License

This state has the largest number of endangered birds than any other state. Climate change is one of the main causes, as well as several invasive animals. Animals like the mongoose introduced to the state have no natural predators and are the cause of several native species losing population. 

Non-native mosquitoes have also caused the spread of avian malaria. As a result, the forest birds that live in Hawaii are at threat of becoming extinct very soon, and several more will become endangered if the efforts taken to preserve them are not successful. 

Idaho: 0 Endangered Bird Species

There are no endangered birds in Idaho.

Illinois: 1 Endangered Bird Species

  • Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus)

The piping plovers are extremely rare in Illinois. They are seen when migrating to breed and are the state’s only endangered bird species. In the summer this rare bird is in the extreme southeastern corner of the state near Lake Michigan. Habitat loss and increased human activity in their home are why this bird has become endangered. 

piping plover
Habitat loss and increased human activity in the piping plover home are why this bird has become endangered.

©iStock.com/BrianEKushner

Indiana: 1 Endangered Bird Species

  • Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus)

Piping plovers live in Indiana, and they are only on the beaches of Lake Michigan within the state to breed on rare occasions.

Iowa: 0 Endangered Bird Species

There are no endangered birds in Iowa.

Kansas: 1 Endangered Bird Species

  • Whooping Crane (Grus americana)

In Kansas, whooping cranes migrate to the state in the spring and fall months. 

Whooping Crane standing in the marsh, close-up
In Kansas, whooping cranes migrate to the state in the spring and fall months.

©GTS Productions/Shutterstock.com

Kentucky: 0 Endangered Bird Species

There are no endangered birds in Kentucky.

Louisiana: 2 Endangered Bird Species

  • Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis)
  • Whooping Crane (Grus americana)

In Louisiana, whooping cranes were absent for around 60 years. They are reintroduced in the White Lakes Wetlands conservation area. The red-cockaded woodpecker lives in the long leaf pine forests in the state. 

Maine: 1 Endangered Bird Species

  • Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii dougallii)

The roseate tern in Maine nests on the islands, beaches, and salt marshes of the state. As the only endangered bird, they are extremely rare.

Maryland: 1 Endangered Bird Species

  • Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii dougallii)

The majority of roseate terns have been extirpated from Maryland. Including the roseate tern, more than 70 of the region’s bird species are losing their populations. 

Massachusetts:1 Endangered Bird Species

  • Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii dougallii)

In Massachusetts, roseate terns may nest in the state. They are mainly nest in Buzzards Bay and the Ram Islands. 

Michigan: 1 Endangered Bird Species

  • Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus)

Piping plovers are the only endangered bird in Michigan. They migrate in the state from late April until August. There are around 65 to 70 breeding pairs that nest on the Great Lakes in the state. 

Minnesota: 1 Endangered Bird Species

  • Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus)

In Minnesota, piping plovers nest near the Great Lakes. They are the only endangered bird species in Minnesota. Recovery efforts have allowed this species to increase its population over the last 20 years.

Mississippi: 2 Endangered Bird Species

  • Mississippi Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis pulla)
  • Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis)

The Mississippi sandhill crane now only lives in Mississippi. There are only around 120 individuals left. They are mainly endangered due to invasive plants and habitat destruction. The red-cockaded woodpeckers in Mississippi mainly live in the Desoto National Forest.

Sandhill Cranes
Sandhill Cranes are mainly endangered due to invasive plants and habitat destruction.

©Wildnerdpix/Shutterstock.com

Missouri: 0 Endangered Bird Species

There are no endangered birds in Missouri. 

Montana: 1 Endangered Bird Species

  • Whooping Crane (Grus americana) 

Whooping Cranes are the only endangered bird in Montana. They do not breed in the state and have been observed at the Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, and the Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge. 

Nebraska: 2 Endangered Bird Species

  • Eskimo Curlew (Numenius borealis) 
  • Whooping Crane (Grus americana)

Eskimo curlews are found in eastern Nebraska, and they are a migratory bird that visits the state in the fall months. Whooping cranes are also endangered migratory birds in Nebraska, and they visit the state in the spring and fall months. 

Eskimo Curlew
Eskimo curlews are found in eastern Nebraska, and they are a migratory bird that visits the state in the fall months.

©Cephas / CC BY-SA 3.0 – License

Nevada: 2 Endangered Bird Species

  • Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus)
  • Yuma Ridgway’s Rail (Rallus obsoletus yumanensis)

Nevada has two endangered bird species, and both have become endangered due to population loss. The Yuma Ridgway’s rail is restricted to water marsh habitats. The southwestern willow flycatcher lives in riparian habitats. 

Southwestern Willow Flycatcher
Nevada has two endangered bird species, and both have become endangered due to population loss.

©3,000 × 1,967 pixels, file size: 2.4 MB, MIME type: image/jpeg – License

New Hampshire: 1 Endangered Bird Species

  • Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii dougallii)

The roseate tern is New Hampshire’s only endangered bird species. They migrate to the state to the Isles of Shoals and other rocky islands. The spring is when this bird comes to breed, and they leave in the fall. 

New Jersey: 1 Endangered Bird Species

  • Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii dougallii)

Roseate terns are the only endangered bird in New Jersey, and they have been documented in the regions of Little Egg Inlet, Brigantine, Barnegat Bay, Holgate, and Sandy Hook. There have been around 599 breeding pairs seen in New York and New Jersey. 

New Mexico: 1 Endangered Bird Species

  • Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus)

The southwestern willow flycatcher is the only endangered bird species in New Mexico and lives in the state’s riparian habitats. The loss of their habitats across their range is the main reason for population loss in this species. 

New York: 2 Endangered Bird Species

  • Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus)
  • Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii dougallii)

In New York, the piping plover breeds on the beaches of Long Island, and there are around 599 pairs that have been reported in the state along with New Jersey. The roseate terns in New York are mainly found in the rocky offshore islands and salt marshes. 

North Carolina: 2 Endangered Bird Species

  • Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii dougallii)
  • Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis)

The red-cockaded woodpecker is one of eight woodpeckers that live in North Carolina. They are the only endangered woodpecker and live in the state’s longleaf pine forests in the Sandhills and Coastal Plains. The roseate tern lives mainly live in North Carolina’s beaches, and salt marshes. 

North Dakota: 1 Endangered Bird Species

  • Whooping Crane (Grus americana)

North Dakota is one stop for the whooping crane during their migration. The birds that travel in the start are part of a population of around 500 birds.

Ohio: 1 Endangered Bird Species

  • Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus)

The piping plover is the only endangered bird species in Ohio, and while previously extirpated from the state, they have been reintroduced. Lake Eeire on Maumee Bay is where this bird species first started to nest in the state.

Oklahoma: 2 Endangered Bird Species

  • Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis)
  • Whooping Crane (Grus americana)

Oklahoma has two endangered bird species. Whooping cranes migrate to Oklahoma from April until October. Red-cockaded woodpeckers are only in the McCurtain County Wilderness area and around the Ouachita National forest in the state. 

Oregon: 2 Endangered Bird Species

  • Hawaiian Petrel (Pterodroma sandwichensis)
  • Short-tailed Albatross (Phoebastria albatrus)

There are two endangered bird species that live in Oregon, and both are a type of seabird. There are only 50 to 60 breeding pairs of Hawaiin petrel in the wild. Short-tailed albatrosses have gone nearly extinct due to hunters. 

Hawaiian Petrel
There are two endangered bird species that live in Oregon, and both are a type of seabird.

©3,108 × 2,369 pixels, file size: 3.71 MB, MIME type: image/jpeg – License

Pennsylvania: 1 Endangered Bird Species

  • Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus)

Piping plovers are the only endangered bird species in Pennsylvania. This bird nests on beaches, and human activity is one of the main reasons why this bird has become endangered. The shore of Lake Erie at Presque Isle State Park is the only breeding ground for this species in the state.

Rhode Island: 1 Endangered Bird Species

  • Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii dougallii)

Roseate terns are a very rare species in Rhode Island. Sightings often occur along the eastern coast in salt marsh habitats.

South Carolina: 3 Endangered Bird Species

  • Bachman’s Warbler (Vermivora bachmanii)
  • Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis)
  • Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii dougallii)

The Bachman’s warbler lives in the state’s marshes, along with the roseate tern. The red-cocked woodpecker inhabits pine forest habitats. Preserving these ecosystems in South Carolina is important in maintaining the populations of these endangered bird species in the state. 

Bachman's Warbler
The Bachman’s warbler lives in the state’s marshes, along with the roseate tern.

©907 × 576 pixels, file size: 260 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg – License

South Dakota: 1 Endangered Bird Species

  • Whooping Crane (Grus americana)

The whooping crane is the only endangered bird species in South Dakota. Sighting occurs most in the center region of the state. This bird travels and is sometimes with other crane species.

Tennessee: 0 Endangered Bird Species

There are no endangered birds in Tennessee.

Texas: 7 Endangered Bird Species

  • Attwater’s Greater Prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus cupido attwateri)
  • Eskimo Curlew (Numenius borealis)
  • Golden-cheeked Warbler (Setophaga chrysoparia) 
  • Northern Apolmado Falcon (Falco femoralis septentrionalis)
  • Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis)
  • Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus)
  • Whooping Crane (Grus americana)

Texas is full of diverse habitats and is also home to over 600 bird species, 7 of which are classified as endangered. The fragmentation of habitats is why several bird species in Texas have been on the decline. Species like the whooping crane migrate across the state. Others that live in the state like the red-cockaded woodpecker rely on the woodland habitats of Texas to survive. 

Golden-cheeked Warbler
Texas is full of diverse habitats and is also home to over 600 bird species, 7 of which are classified as endangered.

©Michael Armentrout/Shutterstock.com

Utah: 1 Endangered Bird Species

  • Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus)

The southwestern willow flycatcher is the only endangered bird species in Utah. This bird lives in floodplain shrubby habitats. They lose drastic population numbers due to habitat loss and degradation.

Vermont: 0 Endangered Bird Species

There are no endangered birds in Vermont.

Virginia: 2 Endangered Bird Species

  • Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis)
  • Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii dougallii)

The red-cockaded woodpecker is the rarest bird in Virginia, and they are mainly in the far southeastern corner of the state. There are less than 100 of these birds left in Virginia. The roseate tern is the state’s second endangered species and has been on the decline for more than a decade.

Washington: 2 Endangered Bird Species

  • Hawaiian Petrel (Pterodroma sandwichensis)
  • Short-tailed Albatross (Phoebastria albatrus)

There are two endangered bird species that live in Washinton, and both are sea birds. Pollution and the destruction of habitats are the causes of population loss for these birds. 

Short-tailed Albatross
Pollution and the destruction of habitats are the causes of population loss for these birds.

©Agami Photo Agency/Shutterstock.com

West Virginia: 0 Endangered Bird Species

There are no endangered birds in West Virginia.

Wisconsin: 1 Endangered Bird Species

  • Piping Plover (Charadrious melodus)

In Wisconsin, piping plovers are the only listed endangered bird species. This bird mainly lives on the shores of Lake Michigan, and Superior. Their population has been slowly increasing because of the state’s conservation efforts.   

Wyoming: 1 Endangered Bird Species

  • Whooping Crane (Grus americana)

In Wyoming, the whooping crane is the only endangered bird species. This bird comes to the state in the summer in the rocky mountains. A reintroduction of the whooping cranes to several regions and breeding in captivity, increases their numbers. 

How to Help Endangered Birds?

Conservation efforts are in place to help preserve these bird species in America. Maintaining habitats, restricting hunting, and monitoring populations are some methods in place to save bird populations. Captive breeding has also shown to be successful in building back populations of birds. 

Anyone can help in conserving endangered bird species, by doing things like creating less plastic waste, not using insecticide, keeping cats inside, and supporting the various organizations that help maintain wildlife.

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