Despite the many conservation programs and organizations led by the heroes of bird conservation, there are still issues affecting the lives and well-being of birds today. As bird lovers, it’s important to be aware of how environmental factors such as air and noise pollution are affecting our feathered friends, as well as the overall condition of birds today, including which species are endangered. You may be surprised by thenumerous difficulties these animals face every day. The following are a few of the most urgent issues and how they are changing the bird population forever.
Air Pollution
More than ever, birds are suffering from the effects of air pollution. Much like the way air pollutants have an impact on human health, birds are suffering from the severity of toxins in the air, too. Recent studies have confirmed that, because birds have extremely high respiratory rates, they are similarly affected by respiratory issues that humans experience when exposed to air pollution and airborne impurities. Toxins such as smog and noxious gases are even drifting into the Polar Regions, leaving arctic birds struggling with the devastating effects of air pollution as well. Additionally, these effects extend to their habitats and can play a larger role in changing the landscape of their communities.
Noise Pollution
Interestingly enough, just as humans have issues with too much noise, birds are also negatively affected by the effects of noise pollution. Because birds vocalize at lower frequencies, their ability to communicate is severely threatened by too much noise. This then goes on to cause bigger issues such asthe inability to attract a mate and successfully socialize with other birds inthe community.
Water Pollution
Oil pollution is responsible for approximately 500,000 waterbirds dying each year. “Water birds” suffer greatly from unexpected oil spills that ruin their home waters, coating their feathers with sticky oil. When a bird's feathers are coated with oil, they lose their waterproofing, exposing the skin to the elements and putting them at risk. Additionally, birds suffer various sicknesses and even death from water pollution when they attempt to clean their feathers and ingest the oil.
Endangered Bird Species in the US
Unfortunately, pollution is not the only thing killing our birds. In fact, the list of North America’s most endangered bird species is shockingly long due to overdevelopment, hunting, cars, electrocution, wind turbines, pesticides, disease, and so much more. These extraordinary creatures have survived this planet for over 160 million years and are considered extant incarnations of the dinosaurs. The fact that today’s birds have survived this long is a phenomenal example of evolution at work. Yet sadly, not all bird species can maintain a long legacy, and many species right here in the United States will soon become extinct from our planet. The following are just a few of those endangered bird species.
California Condor
This gorgeous creature has been on the endangered list for almost 40 years, with numbers declining slowly each year. Since 1967, captive breeding programs have helped swell the population, but there are still no more than 200 of these birds. The main threats to the California Condor are humans due to pollution-related poisoning (as mentioned above), collisions with power lines, poaching, and development that causes habitat loss.
Ivory-Billed Woodpecker
Once widely populating the southeastern coast of the US, this bird’s habitat was destroyed by logging and was officially declared distinct in 1987. However, in 2004, ornithologists discovered the species was, in fact, not completely extinct. However, the bird is so rare that only one ivory-billed woodpecker has ever been seen at one time. Federal programs are currently in place to identify more of these woodpeckers and to protect known habitat.
Whooping Crane
From Canada to Mexico, the Whooping Crane once had a robust population. However, in the 1800s, game hunting became popular, and they slowly began to die out. By 1941, only 20 existed. Despite efforts to breed these birds in captivity, fewer than 500 of these species remain.
Gunnison Sage-Grouse
With only 500 of these birds left on the planet, habitat loss is their greatest threat. They typically live in the desert of the southwestern United States. However, the ongoing development to accommodate oil and gas activities, including road construction, is quickly causing these birds to die out. There is currently no program in place to protect and preserve their habitat.
Kitland’s Warbler
These tiny songbirds weigh in at only half an ounce and nest almost exclusively in the jack pine forests of Michigan. Unlike most endangered birds, for this particular species, humans aren’t the only ones to blame. Factors such as heat from naturally occurring forest fires and other birds are the Warbler’s greatest threats. Often other bird species lay their eggs in other birds’nests, and the Warbler is no exception. When the other bird eggs hatch, they often out-compete the warbler chicks for food, resulting in numerous fatalities for the already struggling birds. In the early ‘90s, fewer than 200 of these birds remained, but conservation efforts are slowly helping them make a comeback.
For bird lovers, there’s nothing more upsetting than knowing that so many bird species are fighting for their lives. Whether they are suffering due to habitat loss from overdevelopment, hunting, or other causes, it is extremely important that more conservation and preservation take place. Education and action are key not only to preventing the situation from getting worse, but also to helping it get better. Luckily, there are many heroes of bird conservation who volunteer their time and efforts to save these fantastic and beautiful creatures.
Resources:
Birds Suffer from Air Pollution Just Like We Do: https://ca.audubon.org/news/birds-suffer-air-pollution-just-we-do
New Evidence that Urban Water Pollution is Harming Birds: https://www.citylab.com/design/2014/04/new-eviden...
Noise Pollution Alters Bird Behavior: https://www.niftyhomestead.com/blog/noise-polluti...
Endangered Birds of North America: https://www.birds-of-north-america.net/Endangered_...
