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Rare Bird Species Reclaim Lost Habitats Across North America
9 Sep
Summary
- Merlin falcon populations have increased 3.5% annually over 50 years
- Pileated woodpecker populations have rebounded due to forest regrowth
- Sandhill crane numbers have grown from 3 dozen to over 90,000 in the U.S.
As of September 2025, several bird species that had vanished from rural New York decades ago are now making a strong comeback. The merlin falcon, a small raptor, has seen its population grow by an impressive 3.5% annually over the past 50 years. These birds, once impacted by the pesticide DDT, have rebounded as restrictions on harmful chemicals and reduced hunting have allowed them to thrive.
Another success story is the pileated woodpecker, a large, striking bird that was once on the brink of extinction due to habitat loss. However, the regrowth of forests in eastern North America has enabled pileated woodpecker populations to recover. These birds now forage in suburban yards and nest in parks, no longer confined to remote wilderness areas.
Perhaps the most dramatic comeback is that of the sandhill crane. Once reduced to just three dozen breeding pairs in the eastern U.S., the sandhill crane population has now surpassed 90,000 individuals. Wetland protection and restoration efforts, as well as reduced hunting, have allowed this large waterbird to reclaim its former range across the Great Lakes states, New England, and eastern Canada.
These species' returns demonstrate the power of conservation. By addressing the threats of habitat loss, pesticide use, and overhunting, wildlife biologists and policymakers have enabled these birds to reclaim their rightful place in the ecosystems of rural New York and beyond.
