Mismatch between bird species sensitivity and the protection of intact habitats across the Americas

Protected areas are highly heterogeneous in their effectiveness at buffering human pressure, which may hamper ability to conserve species sensitive activities. Here, we use 60 million bird observations from eBird estimate the sensitivity pressure of each breeding Americas. Concerningly, find that ecoregions hosting large proportions high-sensitivity species, concentrated tropical biomes, do not have more intact protected habitat. Moreover, 266 little or no habitat within distributions. Finally, show area intactness is decreasing faster where concentrate. Our results highlight a major mismatch between conservation needs and coverage habitats, likely hampers long-term retaining species. We protection management complemented by restoration, urgently needed.