Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada recently released this year’s State of Canada’s Birds report. The report tells the story of how Canada’s 463 bird species are faring and how their populations have changed since 1970.
The data, collected over 50 years through citizen science efforts, not only provides us with a robust picture of how our avian landscape is changing and adapting to threats of climate change and habitat loss, but also allows us to understand how we can tailor conservation efforts to better help birds thrive.
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The report features ten groups of birds: waterfowl, birds of prey, wetland birds, marine birds, forest birds, Arctic birds, long-distance migrants, shorebirds, aerial insectivores, and grassland birds. Although the overall story is, predictably, concerning (36 per cent of species have declined), there are several successes to report this year.
The good news? Birds of prey, waterfowl, and wetland bird populations have increased by 31 per cent since 1970, largely because of advocacy and coordinated conservation efforts. Iconic birds such as the once endangered peregrine falcon reversed their downward trajectory thanks to the banning of DDT. The encouraging growth points to the fact that targeted conservation action works and saves birds.
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The bad news? Grassland birds (67 per cent decline) and shorebirds (42 per cent decline) are now in deep crisis, largely because of habitat loss. They’re in dire need of conservation initiatives.
Since birds are a biological indicator of environmental health, the story told by bird population trends matters enormously, and tells us a great deal about the challenges facing our own well-being. Still, there’s hope in the report: thanks to community science efforts, we have more knowledge than ever before, and with knowledge there is an opportunity for advocacy, action, and change.
To learn how you can help Canada’s avian pals, visit the Birds Canada website.
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