The birds of America are in trouble, and those living in Hawaiian paradise are the worst off, according to a dire report issued by the U.S. Interior Department. The State of the Birds report spreads the alarming news that one-third of bird species across the nation are endangered, threatened, or in serious decline due to habitat loss, polluted water, invasive species, and disease, says the study. Climate change will make things worse, and work is urgently needed to prevent “a global tragedy” of bird loss, the report added [The New York Times].
Bird species native to Hawaii, an isolated ecosystem, are particularly at risk, with 31 species currently listed as endangered. “That is the epicenter of extinctions and near-extinctions,” said John Fitzpatrick, director of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, which helped produce the study. “Hawaii is (a) borderline ecological disaster.” Hawaii’s native birds are threatened by the destruction of their habitats by invasive plant species and feral animals like pigs, goats and sheep. Diseases, especially those borne by mosquitoes, are another killer [AP]. Researchers say that 71 bird species that were found only on Hawaii have gone extinct since humans first settled the islands.
The study presents data collected by government and academic scientists, as well as information contributed by amateur bird-watchers…. Overall, the United States is home to more than 800 species of birds; 67 of those are federally listed as endangered or threatened, with an additional 184 species causing concern because of they are narrowly distributed or have declining populations, the report said [Reuters].
But Interior Secretary Ken Salazar did dole out a few crumbs of good news. The study found that herons, egrets, ducks and other birds that benefit from wetlands conservation were rebounding. Findings like this “show us that conservation can really work,” Mr. Salazar said [The New York Times]. Birds of prey like the peregrine falcon and bald eagle have also made a comeback due to intense conservation efforts and a reduction in pesticide use.
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Image: Jack Jeffrey/an I’iwi native to Hawaii
March 21st, 2009 at 10:48 pm
Most likely, the increase of chem trails being sprayed in our skies is another, if not major, contributor to declining bird populations. These birds are flying through these chemical trails daily. Scientists have discovered some very dangerous ingredients in these chemical trails, all of which eventually reach earth.
March 23rd, 2009 at 9:30 am
I agree with Sam Says…these chem trails have toxic substances in them and I have been seeing chem trails everywhere and on a regular basis, not just once in a while. What the hell are we doing to our planet?????
March 25th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Birds (and bees and beached whales …) are literally the proverbial ‘canary in the coal mine’. Everyone keeps asking, what are chem-trails. Perhaps that very question itself fuels the reptilian survival based engines of our culture … perpetually entrenching fear and rage.
“… human nature has always been creative and productive, but blocked by the cultural process.”
Joseph Chilton Pearce
“All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.” (Arthur Schopenhauer, 1788 – 1860)
Episode 19: Joseph Chilton Pearce – The Biology of Transcendence: Part 1 of 3 – Culture vs. Civilization
http://personallifemedia.com/podcasts/212-living-dialogues/episodes/2721-joseph-chilton-pearce-biology
May 27th, 2011 at 4:36 pm
Dont watch it. It’s not worth it. If you really wanna see it, get free tickets so you dont lose money. lool
August 25th, 2011 at 4:30 pm
This is how to get your foot in the door.