Wetlands are the most biodiverse ecosystems per unit area and their protection is essential for countless bird species.
Wetland loss causes welfare harm to bird populations through starvation, failed reproduction, and exhaustion of migrants unable to find refueling stopover sites. Migratory birds that evolved to refuel at specific wetlands along their routes face starvation when those sites are drained or degraded. Wading birds in shallow wetlands experience food stress when water levels drop or rise beyond optimal foraging depths. Contaminants concentrated in wetland food chains cause neurological damage, reproductive failure, and immune suppression. Restoring and protecting wetlands is among the highest-impact actions for bird welfare at population scale.