Status and conservation of shrubland birds in the northeastern US

The suite of birds associated with naturally occurring shrublands and early successional forests in the northeastern US accounts for about 15% of the total species diversity of the breeding avifauna of the region. Most of the species in this habitat suite are common to abundant in occurrence with moderate to high relative abundance in the region. The shrubland suite of birds contributes a relatively large number of individuals but a relatively small proportion (15%) of the total bird species to the avian diversity of the region. The primary risks to long-term persistence of this suite of birds in the northeastern US include long-term population declines associated with long-term declines in amounts of early successional forest and naturally occurring shrubland habitats in the region (currently