A Win for a Troubled “Forest” Seabird

Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission declares the Marbled Murrelet Endangered

Marbled Murrelets received added protection today, after Oregon declared the species Endangered. Photo by Tim Zurowski

(Washington, D.C., July 9, 2021) Oregon joined Washington and California to protect Marbled Murrelets as Endangered under the state’s Endangered Species Act. The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission voted 4 to 3 to reclassify the murrelet from Threatened to Endangered. These protections come at a critical time for this species, which depends on marine areas for feeding and old-growth forest for nesting. Both of its habitats face uncertain futures with respect to the impact of climate change.  

“We are relieved the Commission has voted in favor of uplisting the Marbled Murrelet to Endangered status,” says Jennifer Davis, ABC’s Northwestern Regional Director. “This elusive species is extremely vulnerable to a host of threats, and without additional protections, it is at real risk of irreversible decline. We thank the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission for this vote in favor of the murrelet.”

The Marbled Murrelet is Federally listed as Threatened, but this state declaration will provide much needed additional protections on Oregon State lands.

ABC will continue to work with partners and stakeholders in the region to ensure that this species is able to persist in the Pacific Northwest for generations to come.

American Bird Conservancy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving wild birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. With an emphasis on achieving results and working in partnership, we take on the greatest problems facing birds today, innovating and building on rapid advancements in science to halt extinctions, protect habitats, eliminate threats, and build capacity for bird conservation. Find us on abcbirds.org, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (@ABCbirds).