Just under half of the earths bird species are in decline, according to a jarring new report.

The State of the Worlds Birds report is released every four years by BirdLife International, an international partnership of NGOs that collects scientific data about birds worldwide. The organization is the official source of information on birds used by the International Union for Conservation of Natures Red List of threatened species.

This years report found that 49% of bird species across the world are in decline, and one in eight are at risk of extinction, The Guardian reported . Only 6% of bird species are increasing in numbers.

We have to stop these declines and start getting on track for recovery, BirdLife Internationals chief scientist, told The Guardian. Our future, as well as the worlds birds, depends on it. If we continue to unravel the fabric of life, were going to continue to place our own future at threat.