Here Are Three of the Ohio Birds at Risk from Climate Change

In 2014, National Audubon Society scientists released the Birds and Climate Change Report finding that nearly half of North American bird species are threatened by global warming.

Audubon scientists drew from decades of data from the Audubon Christmas Bird Count and the North American Breeding Bird Survey to define the “climatic suitability” for each bird species—the range of temperatures, precipitation, and seasonal changes each species needs to survive. They then they mapped each bird’s ideal climatic range as the climate changes. These maps serve as a guide to how each bird’s current range could expand, contract, or shift.

For the most threatened birds, shifts in climate ranges changes could mean they leave Ohio. For others, our region and 69 Important Bird Areas will become increasingly important to their survival.

Species Spotlights: Ohio Birds Threatened by Climate Change

Wood Thrush

Location and Habitat:

• In the late 20th century, the Wood Thrush was one of the most potent symbols of Eastern forests under siege.
• Sharp population declines were blamed on cowbird parasitism, nest predation, and habitat fragmentation.

Range Changes from 2000 to 2080:

• The Wood Thrush is projected to lose 82 percent of its current summer range by 2080.
• It may undergo a substantial shift, as new range could become available across much of what is today the boreal forest.
• Overall, its range will decrease by 30 percent by 2080, as compared to its 2000 range.

Scarlet Tanager

Location and Habitat:

• The chick-burr robin-like note of this species’ song signals the spring arrival of this flashy species in the deciduous forests of eastern North America.

Range Changes from 2000 to 2080:

• Audubon's climate report projects a 93 percent shift in its current summer range.
• A portion of the “new” suitable space is in the west, where this bird may face stiff competition from its western counterpart, the Western Tanager. As a result, the future may be grimmer for the Scarlet Tanager than depicted by the model.
• Overall, the bird faces a 26 percent decline in its total range from 2000 to 2080.

Bobolink

Location and Habitat:

• Fortunately, this grassland species is well adapted to seeking out and colonizing new areas.

• If grasslands can develop in the new climatically suitable areas, the Bobolink may be able to ride the wave of northward-shifting climate space.

Range Changes from 2000 to 2080:

• Audubon’s climate model projects this species' ideal climate space may increase by more than half by 2080.

• However, only 20 percent of its 2000 range will remain stable.