Avian Life Dwindles Worldwide, More Bird Species Succumb to Extinction

A conclusive study that presents the bleakest picture yet of the extinction of avian life claims that nearly half of all bird species on the planet are in decline.

According to BirdLife International's State of the World's Birds report, which is published every four years, 73% of species are under pressure from the growth and intensification of agriculture. The other major threats are the over-exploitation of natural resources, logging, invasive species, and climate change.

One in eight bird species is threatened with extinction globally, and at least 187 species have either been confirmed as extinct or are suspected to have done so since 1500. Although there is an increase in birds facing extinction on larger land masses, particularly in tropical areas, the majority of these bird species have been endemic and live on islands. For instance, since 2007, the endemic Liben lark population in Ethiopia has decreased by 80% as a result of converting grassland to farmland. Only 6% of bird species worldwide are expanding.

In North America, 2.9 billion individual birds-or 29% of all birds-have been killed since 1970. Previously common species like the common snipe, common swift, and rook are among those headed towards extinction as a result of 600 million birds (19%) being killed in Europe since 1980. The largest declines have been seen in farmland birds in Europe, where 57% have vanished as a result of increased mechanization, chemical use, and land conversion to crops. Between 2000 and 2016, 43% of Australia's numerous seabird species experienced declines.

State of the Planet According to Birds

According to BirdLife International's chief scientist, Dr. Stuart Butchart, these declines need to be stopped so that recovery can begin. It's crucial for both the birds and the world's future.

The report is a compilation of other studies, and since birds are the most extensively researched group on the planet, it provides a broad overview of the state of nature.

Since birds are essential to a balanced ecosystem, their extinction is likely to have a wide range of unfavorable consequences. Large seeds are dispersed by hornbills in tropical forests, organic waste is disposed of by turkey vultures, and seabirds contribute to the healthy cycle of nutrients between the ocean and land.

In the most recent State of the World's Birds report, which was published in 2018, it was discovered that 40% of bird species are in decline globally.

Since there have been more wildfires and more damage to previously unaffected habitats, wildfires are discussed more in this report than in previous ones. Researchers warn that the recent string of droughts, heatwaves, and floods will cause widespread extinctions if they continue, underscoring the necessity of addressing the nature and climate crises concurrently.

Pandemic and Destroying Nature

There is mounting evidence that human health is correlated with bird population health. Given that 70% of zoonotic diseases originate in wildlife, Covid-19 serves as a warning about what might come to pass if the natural world is continuously destroyed. This year, some bird populations have experienced rapid declines as a result of a highly pathogenic variant of avian flu, which is a result of intensive farming. In seabird colonies in the UK, over 300 outbreaks have been recorded.

This entails expanding the quantity and standard of protected areas, maintaining the remaining habitats, and rehabilitating the degraded ones. It will be beneficial to stop the illegal killing of birds, control invasive species, lessen bycatch in fisheries, and avoid overusing natural resources.

Without conservation efforts, about 21 to 32 bird species would have become extinct since 1993, according to BirdLife. It mentions the development of a brand-new seabird haven in the North Atlantic that is the size of France and is expected to safeguard 5 million birds.

One in eight bird species is in danger of extinction, and nearly half of all bird species are in decline, according to Juliet Vickery, the chief executive of the British Trust for Ornithology. Vickery was not involved in the report's compilation. Every level of action, from local to international, is necessary. This contains a strong warning regarding the condition of our natural environment, The Guardian reports.