Global birdwatching data reveal uneven consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic

Birdwatching is a global phenomenon involving many thousands of people. Citizen science generates data providing insights into global patterns of bird distribution across space and time, yet how the pandemic may have cast a longer shadow remains unassessed. Here, we explore whether pandemic restrictions influenced observations, and the species observed globally from 2020 to May 2021, considering also GDPc and tourism income. We analyzed 10,338 bird species (93 % of all bird species) and found that whilst high-income regions recovered to pre-pandemic assessment rates quickly, middle and low-income regions remained at low levels. Furthermore, protected areas saw huge losses in recorded richness. Whilst observer count increased overall, the number of bird species recorded dramatically decreased, especially in 2020. These trends are most marked in developing countries and regions, especially where tourism is important. Our results underline the importance of these biodiversity data, and the potential for their shortfalls in the face of a global pandemic.

Automated summary

This study investigates the impact of the global pandemic on birdwatching activities and analyzes bird species observed globally from 2020 to May 2021 along with other influencing factors. The results show that high-income regions recovered quickly, while middle and low-income regions remained at lower observation levels. Protected areas also experienced a significant decrease in recorded bird richness. Although the overall number of observers increased, the number of recorded bird species dramatically decreased, especially in 2020. These trends were most pronounced in developing countries and regions, particularly those dependent on tourism.