| The IUCN determined that 12% of our world’s bird species are endangered and in threat of being extinct. Additional 8% are in near threat status. Therefore 1 of every 5 birds could be extinct during the next 50-80 years, that is about 2,000 different bird species! |  |
Bird Species are facing many threats:
Some of the main threats include:
Habitat loss due to agriculture development and human population growth. Forests around the world are being destroyed fast. For lumber for construction, wood for fuel usage, land clearance for plantation or development and for urban expansion.
Pesticides. About 5 billion pounds of pesticides are manufactured each year. These can damage bird population by death of exposure to concentrated dose, hormonal effects, destroying prey organisms and damaging plants which the birds use for feeding and nesting.
Bird capture for trading, or unintentional capture of seabirds by fisheries operations.
Invasive species. Non native predators (like snakes and rats) invading islands which the birds use as safe nesting grounds.
Habitat loss due to agriculture development and human population growth. Forests around the world are being destroyed fast. For lumber for construction, wood for fuel usage, land clearance for plantation or development and for urban expansion.
Pesticides. About 5 billion pounds of pesticides are manufactured each year. These can damage bird population by death of exposure to concentrated dose, hormonal effects, destroying prey organisms and damaging plants which the birds use for feeding and nesting.
Bird capture for trading, or unintentional capture of seabirds by fisheries operations.
Invasive species. Non native predators (like snakes and rats) invading islands which the birds use as safe nesting grounds.
How can you help?
- Do not keep birds in captivity. The trade in wild birds will stop only when the market for them disappears. There is no way to ensure that cage birds were not taken from the wild.
- Refrain using pesticides and chemical fertilizers.
- Plant indigenous trees and flowers at your backyard, these support local birds and wildlife. You can find more information on native plants at http://www.plantnative.com/how_wildlife.htm
- Support and join conservation organizations. There are many committed conservation organizations that are creating major changes and rely on your support. Some examples of conservation nonprofit organizations can be found at our page Additional Resources.
- Join us at our upcoming event: Christmas Bird Count.
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