Mississippi River Birds of Concern

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Audubon scientists and conservation staff identified declining or vulnerable birds in five key habitats within the Mississippi River watershed. We will focus on our conservation efforts on these birds, and other species will benefit. The list of more than 50 species of concern was gleaned from the Audubon Watchlist and other national conservation lists for waterbirds, common birds and other species.

• Bottomland Forest
  This habitat has been reduced by as much as 80 percent in parts of the watershed and supports birds such as the Wood Stork, Swallow-tailed Kite, Red-headed Woodpecker, Wood Thrush, Prothonotary Warbler and Rusty Blackbird.

• Emergent Wetlands
  Birds of these habitats include the Whooping Crane, Wood Duck, King Rail and Least Tern.

• Coastal
  Beaches, marshes and other coastal habitats support Mottled Duck, Reddish Egret, Roseate Spoonbill, American Oystercatcher, and Long-billed Curlew.

• Urban
  Species of concern in urban areas in the watershed include Chimney Swift, Peregrine Falcon, Mississippi Kite, Common Nighthawk and Purple Martin.

• Grassland
  The watershed’s remaining grasslands support birds such as Greater Prairie-Chicken, Northern Bobwhite, Swainson’s Hawk, and Henslow's Sparrow.