Top 5 Forests Vital for North America’s Bird Survival

Welcome, Net Zero News readers,

As spring unfolds across eastern North America, the sweet melodies of Wood Thrushes and vibrant warblers fill our parks and neighbourhoods, a sound that many cherish. Yet, what often goes unnoticed is that these enchanting birds spend the majority of their lives in Central America, relying on its lush and remote forests as vital sanctuaries during the winter months.

A recent study conducted by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in collaboration with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and published in the journal Biological Conservation, has shed light on the critical role played by Central America’s Five Great Forests. These forests, stretching from southern Mexico to northern Colombia, are not merely picturesque landscapes; they are essential havens for numerous migratory bird species that traverse the two continents.

Utilising extensive data gathered from millions of bird sightings reported on the Cornell Lab’s global eBird platform, researchers have unveiled a startling truth: these forests provide habitat for between one-tenth and nearly one-half of the global populations of 40 migratory species. Many of these birds represent some of the fastest declining populations in North America.

“What happens in Central America directly affects the birds we love in the United States and Canada,” remarked Anna Lello-Smith, the study’s lead author and conservation scientist at WCS. “These forests aren’t just tropical wilderness — they’re at the heart of migration, sustaining many of our birds for more than half the year. They provide the food and shelter that allow Wood Thrushes, Magnolia Warblers, and so many others to return north to fill our spring with song and colour.”

Key Findings Reveal High Bird Concentration

The study’s findings are both illuminating and alarming. Among the most notable revelations:

• More than one-third of the global Kentucky Warbler population and nearly one-quarter of all Wood Thrushes and Golden-winged Warblers spend their winters in these forests.
• Over 40 percent of the global Cerulean Warbler population, a species that has seen a staggering decline of more than 70 percent since 1970, migrates through these forests during the spring.
• The Selva Maya, encompassing regions of Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala, alongside the Moskitia in Honduras and Nicaragua, are identified as the most critical forest areas for these migratory species. Alarmingly, these habitats are vanishing rapidly, with a quarter of their area cleared in just 15 years, largely due to illegal cattle ranching.

Collectively, the Selva Maya, Moskitia, Indio Maíz-Tortuguero, La Amistad, and Darién create a continuous ecological corridor roughly the size of Virginia. This vast region is not only a refuge for migratory songbirds but also harbours diverse wildlife, including jaguars, tapirs, and scarlet macaws. For birds undertaking their long migrations, these forests serve as essential resting and wintering grounds.

“Every fall, billions of birds pour south through the narrow land bridge of Central America,” stated Viviana Ruiz-Gutierrez, director of Conservation Science at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and co-author of the study. “The density of migratory warblers, flycatchers, and vireos packed into these five forests is astounding, meaning that each hectare protected there safeguards a disproportionate number of birds.”

Rapid Deforestation Threatens Critical Habitat

However, the future of these vital forests hangs in the balance. Rapid deforestation, driven primarily by illegal cattle ranching, has already obliterated millions of acres of precious habitat. In the Moskitia region alone, nearly one-third of the forest has disappeared in just two decades.

“If we lose the last great forests of Central America — and we are — we lose the birds that define our eastern forests in North America,” cautioned Jeremy Radachowsky, Regional Director for WCS’s Mesoamerica Program. “But by supporting rural communities, governments, and conservation partners on the ground, we can still turn the tide.”

Across Central America, Indigenous and local communities are taking a stand, working diligently to restore damaged landscapes, prevent forest fires, and revive traditional, bird-friendly livelihoods, such as sustainable allspice and cacao production. Despite facing significant challenges, these grassroots efforts are crucial for the preservation of remaining forest habitats.

“Imagine the potential for collaboration,” proposed Ruiz-Gutierrez, “to link these efforts across the Americas, fostering a united front to bring back our shared migratory birds.”

Mapping How Birds Connect Regions Across the Americas

For years, international cooperation on bird conservation has been stunted by a lack of clear information regarding how migratory birds connect various habitats and communities throughout their seasonal journeys. To facilitate cross-border conservation efforts, researchers have employed a framework developed by Partners in Flight and the Cornell Lab to map “stewardship connections” — regions in North America where species dependent on the Five Great Forests congregate to breed.

These findings reveal that the Five Great Forests are intimately linked to forest regions in the Appalachians, the Mississippi Delta, the Great Lakes, New England, and the landscapes surrounding New York City. Researchers refer to these interconnected areas as “sister landscapes,” as they are bound together through the same bird species at different stages of their annual cycle.

Protecting Forests to Protect Migratory Birds

In many respects, the Five Great Forests serve as tropical counterparts to North America’s eastern forests. They provide sanctuary for the same suite of forest-loving birds, including Scarlet Tanagers, Kentucky Warblers, Golden-winged Warblers, and Broad-winged Hawks, during the months when these species are far from their breeding territories. Safeguarding these wintering and stopover habitats is paramount to ensuring that these birds continue to return north each spring.

“Every hectare we protect in Central America has ripple effects for birds and people across the hemisphere,” emphasised Lello-Smith. “The forests that sustain thrushes and warblers also support communities. If you love watching your birds return each spring, we invite you to discover the tropical forests they call home for most of the year — and help protect them.”

As we reflect on the interconnectedness of our ecosystems, it becomes clear that the plight of migratory birds is a pressing concern that transcends borders. The loss of their wintering habitats in Central America not only threatens their survival but also impacts the rich tapestry of life that we cherish in our own backyards. By championing conservation efforts and supporting sustainable practices, we can play a role in safeguarding the future of these remarkable creatures and the forests they depend upon.

Let us stand together as stewards of the environment, advocating for the protection of these vital forests and ensuring that the songs of our migratory friends continue to resonate through the seasons.