TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) -- Scientists say the population of endangered Kirtland's warblers has stabilized at a level that should ensure long-term survival for the tiny songbirds -- but only with continued help from humans.

Kirtland's warblers breed only in Michigan, except for a few scattered pairs in Wisconsin and Ontario. They nearly went extinct a few decades ago because of habitat loss but have bounced back in the northern Lower Peninsula thanks to conservation programs.

The Department of Natural Resources said Monday that this year's census turned up 1,805 singing males in Michigan. It's believed that there's at least one female for each singing male. So that would put the population at about 3,600.

DNR official Chris Hoving says if the population remains stable, the warbler eventually may come off the endangered species list.