Migratory birds rely on Central America’s 5 great forests

This video summarizes a new study that identifies 5 Central American forests as critical habitat for wintering migratory birds. Video via the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

• Many North American migratory birds rely on five major Central American forests for winter habitat and survival.
• These forests support a large share of declining species, making their rapid loss a serious threat to bird populations.
• Conservation efforts led by local and indigenous communities are crucial but need broader support to protect these vital habitats.

Central America is the winter home for many migratory birds

Spring is an exhilarating time for birdwatchers. In North America, it’s when we see the return of spectacularly beautiful songbirds, such as warblers, tanagers and thrushes. Many of these birds spent the winter months in the lush tropical forests of Central America. On November 19, 2025, scientists said they’ve identified what they call the Five Great Forests of Mesoamerica. These forests, which stretch from southern Mexico to northern Colombia, are critical to the survival of migratory songbirds. And the researchers emphasized an urgent need to conserve these essential habitats for migratory birds that are already facing significant population declines.

Lead author Anna Lello-Smith, of the Wildlife Conservation Society, said.

What happens in Central America directly affects the birds we love in the United States and Canada. These forests aren’t just tropical wilderness — they’re at the heart of migration, sustaining many of our birds for more than half the year. They provide the food and shelter that allow wood thrushes, magnolia warblers, and so many others to return north to fill our spring with song and color.

The scientists published their findings in the peer-reviewed journal Biological Conservation on November 19, 2025.

5 Great Forests of Mesoamerica

The researchers identified five critical forests in Central America. In fact, they call these forests the Five Great Forests of Mesoamerica. That’s because many migratory birds spend at least half their lives there, during North American winters.

These are the five great forests:

1. Selva Maya in Guatemala, Mexico and Belize
2. Moskitia in Nicaragua and Honduras
3. Indio Maíz-Tortuguero in Nicaragua and Costa Rica
4. La Amistad in Panama and Costa Rica
5. El Darién in Colombia and Panama

Not only are these the largest forests in Central America, but also the most threatened. Together, they cover an area about the size of Virginia. Although comparatively small in area to North American forests, these Central American forests are biodiversity powerhouses. And they are home to other creatures, such as tapirs, scarlet macaws and jaguars.

Viviana Ruiz-Gutierrez, at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and paper co-author, said:

Every fall, billions of birds pour south through the narrow land bridge of Central America. The density of migratory warblers, flycatchers, and vireos crowded into these five forests is astounding, and means that each hectare protected there safeguards a disproportionate number of birds.

The researchers describe these Central American forests as “sister landscapes” of North America’s eastern forests. That’s because they’re tightly connected, in terms of migratory bird habitat, to forests in the Appalachians, Mississippi Delta, Great Lakes and the Northeast.

A look at the data

Birdwatchers have played a significant role in collecting information about the birds. They’ve done so by recording their observations in the popular birding app eBird. As a result, the data they collected have allowed scientists to get a broad overview of how birds migrate. If you are a birder who uses eBird, your observations would have likely contributed to this study.

From there, scientists analyzed millions of observations. The data showed that five Central American forests supported 10% to 46% of 40 migratory bird species. These birds included species whose numbers are in steep decline.

For instance, a third of Kentucky warblers, and a quarter of all wood thrushes and golden winged warblers, spend their time in these five forests.

Plus, some 40% of cerulean warblers, a species that has declined in population by 70% since 1970, pass through these forests during migration.

Birds such as scarlet tanagers and broad-winged hawks also use these forest habitats.

Migratory birds are facing increasing threats

Since 1970, North America has lost about 2.5 billion migratory birds, across 419 species. The main reason for this decline is habitat loss and degradation.

The Five Great Forests of Mesoamerica are facing threats. For example, since 2000, these forests have lost about 5% to 30% of their area to illegal cattle ranching, some of it tied to organized crime.

In particular, the Selva Maya and the Moskitia are a concern. These critical habitats have lost 25% of their area over the last 15 years.

Co-author Jeremy Radachowsky of the Wildlife Conservation Society warned:

If we lose the last great forests of Central America — and we are — we lose the birds that define our eastern forests in North America. But by supporting rural communities, governments and conservation partners on the ground, we can still turn the tide.

Conservation solutions for migratory birds

Many local and indigenous communities in Central American countries recognize that degraded and lost forest habitat will have a devastating effect on wildlife. As a result, they are leading restoration efforts, often at great risk to their lives. In addition, they are implementing wildlife-friendly agricultural practices, for instance, in cacao, coffee and allspice plantations.

But they cannot do it alone and need our help.

Ruiz-Gutierrez commented:

Imagine the possibility of linking with those efforts, so that we can work together across the Americas to bring back our shared migratory birds.

Lello-Smith added:

Every hectare we protect in Central America has ripple effects for birds and people across the hemisphere. The forests that sustain thrushes and warblers also support communities. If you love watching your birds come back each spring, we invite you to discover the tropical forests they call home for most of the year — and help protect them.

Watch more

This is a longer (10 minute) version of the video clip provided above, also from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Bottom line: Migratory birds from North America depend on five key forests in Central America for wintering. Protecting these threatened habitats is vital to halt their steep declines.

Source: Leveraging participatory science data to guide cross-border conservation of migratory birds: A case study from Mesoamerica’s Five Great Forests

Via Cornell Lab of Ornithology

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