California is a biodiversity hotspot, but in 2025 many bird species are under intense pressure from climate change, habitat destruction, and human activity. Rising temperatures, longer droughts, stronger storms, and sea-level rise are reshaping wetlands, coastlines, and forests.
At the same time, ongoing urban growth, changing agricultural practices, and pollution continue to squeeze the habitats birds need for nesting, feeding, and safe migration.
The result is a landscape where even well-known species can see sudden setbacks if one bad season overlaps with habitat loss or a disrupted food chain.
This guide zeroes in on five of the most at-risk bird groups in California for 2025—those that combine high conservation concern with strong leverage for recovery if we act now.
The message is hopeful: when California pairs science-based action with community support, bird populations can stabilize—and even grow—faster than many expect.
Quick Snapshot of At-Risk Birds in 2025
| Bird Species | Current Population (Approx.) | Legal Status | Key Threats | Main California Habitat | 2025 Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California Condor | ~560 total, ~340+ wild | Federally Endangered | Lead poisoning, powerlines, disease | Central Coast, Big Sur, Southern CA | Increasing numbers but fragile |
| Tricolored Blackbird | ~200,000 breeding birds | State Threatened | Habitat loss, nesting in farmland, drought | Central Valley, wetlands | Recovery efforts show promise |
| Western Snowy Plover | ~450 adults in SF Bay | Federally Threatened | Beach erosion, predators, human disturbance | Central & Southern California beaches | Fragile stability |
| Marbled Murrelet | Declining, thousands | Federally Threatened | Loss of old-growth forests, ocean warming | North Coast redwoods, nearshore waters | Habitat loss remains critical |
| California & Ridgway’s Rail | Declining locally | State/Federal Endangered | Marsh loss, sea-level rise, invasive plants | SF Bay, SoCal marshes | Vulnerable to climate change |
California Condor: The Comeback Icon Still at Risk
The California Condor is a symbol of conservation success but still hovers on the edge of extinction. In 2025, the wild population is above 340 birds, with a total of over 560 worldwide including captive individuals.
- Main threat: Lead poisoning from spent ammunition remains the top cause of death.
- Other risks: Collisions with powerlines, avian flu, and limited genetic diversity.
- Progress: Record chick hatchings and expanded release programs are helping.
Future outlook: Recovery depends on enforcing non-lead ammunition use and continued captive-breeding support.
Tricolored Blackbird: Farming Partnerships Save Colonies
The Tricolored Blackbird, once numbering in the millions, has shrunk drastically. In 2025, surveys recorded around 200,000 breeding birds.
- Main threat: Nesting in agricultural silage fields, where crops are harvested before chicks fledge.
- Positive steps: Agreements with farmers to delay harvests helped save thousands of young birds in 2024.
- Habitat challenge: Ongoing drought and wetland loss further stress the species.
Future outlook: Success relies on farm partnerships, incentive payments, and wetland restoration.
Western Snowy Plover: Battling the Beaches
The Western Snowy Plover is a small shorebird listed as Threatened. In San Francisco Bay alone, about 450 adults were counted in 2024.
- Main threat: Human disturbance on beaches, off-leash dogs, and severe storms.
- Conservation wins: Fencing off nesting areas and using nest exclosures have boosted hatching success.
- Geographic spread: Populations are scattered across Central Coast beaches, SoCal shores, and salt ponds.
Future outlook: Public awareness, beach management, and predator control will decide whether this species can rebound.
Marbled Murrelet: The Forest-Sea Connection
The Marbled Murrelet is a unique seabird that nests in old-growth redwood forests. Its decline reflects both forest loss and ocean warming.
- Main threat: Logging has reduced nesting trees, while marine heatwaves affect fish populations.
- Recent updates: New survey protocols in 2024 improved population monitoring and habitat identification.
- Critical habitat: Northern California redwoods and nearshore Pacific waters.
Future outlook: Protecting remaining old-growth forests and monitoring ocean conditions are crucial for survival.
California & Ridgway’s Rails: Marsh Birds on the Edge
Rails are secretive marsh birds highly vulnerable to wetland changes.
- Population trends: In San Francisco Bay, recent counts dropped by around 4% compared to 2023.
- Threats: Marshland loss, sea-level rise, and invasive cordgrass altering habitat.
- Southern California subspecies: The Light-footed Ridgway’s Rail remains above its historic baseline, but its future is tied to marsh restoration.
Future outlook: Living shorelines, tidal marsh restoration, and adaptive management will determine their fate.
Climate Change: The Silent Driver
Across all five species, climate change magnifies risks:
- Rising seas threaten plovers and rails.
- Hotter, drier conditions shrink wetlands for blackbirds.
- Stronger storms destroy shorebird nests.
- Ocean heatwaves affect food for murrelets.
Addressing climate change is key to saving these species.
What People Can Do to Help
- Support wetland and forest restoration projects.
- Respect beach closures and keep dogs leashed in nesting areas.
- Advocate for non-lead ammunition to save condors and scavengers.
- Encourage climate-smart policies that balance renewable energy growth with wildlife protection.
California’s top 5 bird species at risk in 2025—the California Condor, Tricolored Blackbird, Western Snowy Plover, Marbled Murrelet, and California & Ridgway’s Rails—each highlight how fragile ecosystems can be.
From coastal beaches to redwood forests and inland wetlands, these birds are barometers of ecological health.
While challenges remain, targeted conservation, smart policies, and community support show that recovery is possible.
Protecting these species is not just about saving birds—it’s about preserving California’s natural heritage for generations to come.
Every bird on this list tells a bigger story. The condor reflects the ongoing struggle between human practices and wildlife survival. The blackbird reminds us that agriculture and conservation must work hand in hand.
The plover shows the delicate balance of recreation and protection on California’s beaches. The murrelet reveals how deeply forests and oceans are linked, while the rails demonstrate the importance of healthy wetlands against rising seas.
By focusing on these five species, Californians can protect not only iconic wildlife but also the ecosystems that sustain communities, water, and clean air. The survival of these birds is inseparable from the state’s future resilience.
FAQs
Why is the California Condor still endangered despite population growth?
Because lead poisoning from bullets continues to kill condors, limiting long-term recovery.
What’s being done to protect Tricolored Blackbirds?
Farmers are paid to delay harvests in fields where blackbirds nest, saving tens of thousands of chicks each year.
How can the public help Snowy Plovers on beaches?
By respecting fenced nesting areas, keeping dogs on leashes, and avoiding disturbance during the breeding season.
