… This megadrought—defined as a multidecade period of extreme dryness—has been ongoing for 25 years across the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Scientists say it’s driven by anthropogenic climate change, supercharged by greenhouse gases. … This drought is impacting agriculture, industry, and water availability for people’s everyday use, but it has also hit animals hard. Its impacts are particularly visible in birds, who have lost habitat, struggled to find food, and in some cases have begun to decline dramatically.

Other drought impact news:

• SFGate: Long-term California study finds surprising link between birds and wildfires​
• Bloomberg: California wildfire threats linger even after stormy weather​​