- More than 30% of North America's bird populations are
in "significant decline" according to conservationists.
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- The National Audubon Society's State of the Birds report
draws on data collected between 1966 and 2003 for 654 American bird species.
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- The report looked at birds inhabiting grasslands, shrublands,
forests, waterways and urban settings.
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- The report says the declines are abnormal and not part
of the cyclical rise and fall in bird populations.
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- Most disturbing was the finding that 70% of bird species
living in grasslands - such as the Eastern Meadowlark, Bobolink, Short-eared
owl and Greater Prairie-Chicken - are doing poorly.
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- The report found that for shrubland birds - including
the Northern Bobwhite, Painted Bunting and Florida Scrub-Jay - 36% of species
are declining significantly.
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- Pit canary
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- Smaller declines were noted in bird species living in
forests, wetlands and urban areas.
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- Instead, they may be caused by the loss of native grasslands,
overgrazing of grassland and shrubland, development of wetlands, bad forest
management, invasive species, pollution and poor land use decisions.
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- "Like the canary in the coal mine warning the miner
of danger ahead, birds are an indicator of environmental and human health,"
said Audubon president John Flicker.
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- "People created these problems and people can solve
them if we act now."
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- The data contained in the report comes from the national
Breeding Bird Survey counts from 1966 to 2003. The survey is coordinated
and analysed by the US Geological Survey.
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- The report calls for more protection for the birds' habitats
and increased conservation efforts by private landowners and homeowners.
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- DECLINES IN NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS 70% of grassland species
declining significantly 36% of shrubland species declining significantly
25% of forest species declining significantly 13% of wetland species declining
significantly 25% of urban birds declining significantly
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- © BBC MMIV http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3759690.stm
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