New Book: State of the World’s Raptors

With over half of all birds of prey experiencing population declines, prioritizing conservation efforts is crucial. The new book State of the World’s Raptors, led by Executive Vice President of Science and Conservation Christopher McClure, PhD, provides an original approach to setting priorities for the conservation of raptors across the globe. Biologists from The Peregrine Fund, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the Zoological Society of London divided the world into 14 raptor conservation regions, each represented by its own book chapter. Regional chapters are led by raptor experts from that region, providing local perspectives on global priorities. 

“We’ve been hard at work on this new book for the last two years and are excited to finally be able to share some of our findings,” says Chris. “This book leverages regional perspectives on global raptor conservation priorities. It is a unique approach that will advance raptor conservation worldwide.”

State of the World's Raptors represents a groundbreaking scholarly contribution to ornithological research. In a world where raptor populations face unprecedented challenges, this book is arriving at the perfect moment, equipping researchers, conservationists, and policymakers with the definitive resource they need to protect these iconic species for generations to come. 

As of May 2025, the first five chapters of State of the World’s Raptors have been released! The remaining chapters will be released throughout the rest of 2025 once the comprehensive analyses are completed. The first four chapters introduce the book, define the term “raptors,” outline past research, detail how the 14 conservation regions are designated, and highlight global and regional priorities. The first regional chapter has also been released: North America. The remaining 13 regions and concluding chapters will be released at https://science.peregrinefund.org/state-of-worlds-raptors-chapters as they are completed, so stay tuned!