The Barometer of French Avifauna 2026 highlights both encouraging and worrying trends in the bird populations of France. Conservation initiatives have helped certain species recover, while others are struggling due to climate change and shifting habitats. The report offers a detailed snapshot of how different bird species are adapting—or failing to adapt—to environmental changes. The European bee-eater, once mainly found in the Mediterranean region, has gradually moved northward at a rate of 2.26% per year between 1980 and 2010. However, this expansion has slowed in recent years. In contrast, the European roller, another Mediterranean bird, has seen its population grow dramatically, from about 100 pairs in 1970 to over 1,000 pairs today, largely due to the installation of artificial nest boxes. Some smaller birds, like Cetti's warbler and the reed bunting, have shown resilience after harsh winters in the 1980s. Their ranges have expanded into northern France and Switzerland, with the reed bunting even appearing in irruptive patterns in the northeast. The white stork has made a notable comeback, increasing from just 11 pairs in 1974 to nearly 7,000 today. This recovery is attributed to reintroduction efforts, nesting platforms, and milder winters. The black stork, though much rarer, has also been expanding its range, with new nesting sites recorded in the Manche and Seine-et-Marne departments and its first reproduction in Switzerland in 2026. The bald ibis, once nearly extinct in the wild, is returning thanks to a reintroduction program led by the Vienna zoo. Successful breeding has been reported in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, including the first successful reproduction in Fribourg in 2025. The scarlet ibis, which arrived in France in 1988, has grown from 14 pairs in 2006 to 3,500 in 2022. While non-native species like the yellow leiothrix and the ring-necked parakeet have established themselves in France, their presence does not always indicate a healthier ecosystem. Several bird species that thrive in changing environments, such as the common pigeon and the black-headed warbler, have seen population increases. The common pigeon's population has nearly doubled in 20 years, while the black-headed warbler has grown by 30% between 2001 and 2019. Seabirds like the Troïl guillemot and the torda penguin have also shown signs of recovery, helped by conservation efforts and the return of sardine populations. However, species like the great cormorant and the black-throated diver have drawn criticism for their impact on local fisheries. Vultures have benefited from conservation work, with the bearded vulture’s population rising from 62 to 92 pairs in France between 2014 and 2024. The Egyptian vulture has also seen an increase, reaching 52 pairs in 2026. Raptors like the Bonelli's eagle and the lesser kestrel are showing signs of recovery, with the latter’s population growing to nearly 600 pairs in southern France. Overall, the number of nesting bird species in Metropolitan France has risen to 314 between 2019 and 2024, compared to the early 1970s. While this increase reflects a broader trend, it hides the decline of many common bird species. Nearly half of all birds have expanded their distribution area over the past fifty years, and 76% of large waders have seen population growth. However, 90% of partridges, pheasants, and similar species are in decline, indicating a complex and uneven picture of avian life in France.