Common Birds in Decline

Birds are important indicators of the overall health of our environment. Like the proverbial canaries in the coal mine, they send an urgent warning about threats to our water, air, natural resources, climate and more.

A new analysis by the National Audubon Society reveals that populations of some of America�s most familiar and beloved birds have taken a nosedive over the past forty years, with some down as much as 80 percent. The dramatic declines are attributed to the loss of healthy forests, wetlands, grasslands, and other critical habitats from environmental threats such as sprawl, energy development, and the spread of industrialized agriculture, all compounded by global warming.  What emerges is a challenging picture for the future of many common bird species and a serious warning about our local habitats and the environment itself.  

 �These are not rare or exotic birds we�re talking about� these are the birds that visit our feeders and congregate at nearby lakes and seashores and yet they are disappearing day by day,� said Audubon Chairperson and former EPA Administrator, Carol Browner. �Their decline tells us we have serious work to do, from protecting local habitats to addressing the huge threats from global warming.�

The table below shows those hardest hit species on Audubon�s list of 20 Common Birds in Decline:

Direct habitat loss continues to be a leading cause for concern,� said Audubon Bird Conservation Director and analysis author, Greg Butcher, PhD. �But now we�re seeing the added impact of large-scale environmental problems and policies.�

Butcher notes that global warming is damaging key habitats and speeding the spread of invasive species that spur further declines. Mounting demand for corn-based fuels is expected to result in increased agricultural use of marginal farmland that currently serves as important habitat. The fate of species such as Eastern Meadowlarks and Loggerhead Shrikes could hinge on efforts to conserve these areas.

Public response will shape the long-term outlook for the listed species. Unlike WatchList birds, these Common Birds in Decline are not in immediate danger of extinction, despite global populations as low as 500,000 for some species. But even birds with significantly higher overall populations are experiencing sharp declines, and their ultimate fate is uncertain. Audubon leaders hope the multiple threats to the birds people know and love will prompt individuals to take action locally and on state and national levels.

Audubon's Common Birds in Decline list stems from the first-ever analysis combining annual sighting data from Audubon's century-old Christmas Bird Count program with results of the annual Breeding Bird Survey conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey. "This is a powerful example of how tens of thousands of volunteer birders, pooling their observations, can make an enormous difference for the creatures they care the most about," said noted natural history writer Scott Weidensaul. "Thanks to their efforts, we have the information. Now all of us � from birders to policy makers � need to take action to keep these species from declining even further."

�Fortunately, people�s actions can still make a difference,� Audubon�s Greg Butcher adds. �Average citizens can change the fate of these birds just as average citizens helped us confirm the trouble they face.�

This article is condensed from information obtained at

http://Audubon.org For more information, also visit:

http://www.abcbirds.org/greenlist.htm                          

www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/literatr/wetbird/index.htm

 

 
 

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