The bird population in the U.S. and Canada has declined by nearly 3 billion birds in the last 50 years.
The stark losses signals a"widespread ecological crisis," as the bird population is an indicator of environmental health, according to the study, published Thursday in the journal Science.
While researchers expected to see a continuing decline in the population, the results of the study showed"pervasive losses among common birds across all habitats," Ken Rosenberg, senior scientist at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and American Bird Conservancy and lead author of the study, said in a statement.
In addition, climate change is expected to exacerbate the problem, according to the study, but more research is needed to pinpoint the primary causes for declines in individual species. "It's imperative to address immediate and ongoing threats, both because the domino effects can lead to the decay of ecosystems that humans depend on for our own health and livelihoods -- and because people all over the world cherish birds in their own right," Marra said.
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