Dr. Leon Bennun Director of Science, Information and Policy Birdlife International

Why bother about birds?

State of the World’s Birds www.birdlife.org/datazone/sowb

BirdLife International World CongressPartnerships for Nature and People

Ottawa CanadaJune 19-22 2013

The status of the world’s birds is declining

Nature underpins our lives, and birds are a wonderful window on nature.

But bird numbers are declining around the globe.

Protecting nature is affordable, and represents a sound investment. In the future, the costs will be far greater.

Bird conservation makes economic sense… and it works.

Birds help us understand the natural world




Birds are excellent indicators and a popular window on the world

We know more about birds than any other wildlife group. Their decline reflects a deteriorating global environment, affecting all life – including people.Birds are an accurate and easy-to-read environmental barometer that lets us monitor the pressures we put on the world’s biodiversity.

Many bird species, including common ones, are declining

Many governments now use common bird trends to track environmental sustainability




In Europe, data over 30 years show that common birds are also in decline.Some groups – such as those found on farmland – are declining faster than others.

Many bird species are at risk of extinction

One in eight bird species is threatened with extinction




197 bird species are classified as Critically Endangered, the highest threat level

Vulnerable727 (55%)

Endangered389 (30%)

Critically Endangered197 (15%)

Least Concern7,677 (77%)

Near Threatened880 (9%)

Threatened1,313 (13%)

Data Deficient60 (1%)

The status of the world’s birds is deteriorating

The UN now uses BirdLife’s Red List Index to monitor sustainability




Birds are declining, but some groups such as seabirds are deteriorating faster than others.

A range of threats is driving declines in globally threatened birds

Unsustainable agricultural practices are the greatest threat to bird species




Dr. Stuart ButchartHead of Science Birdlife International

Some sites are particularly important for birds and other wildlife




BirdLife has identified more than 12,000 IBAs on land and at sea

We know where the most important nature sites are. We call these Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas – IBAs for short.

Many IBAs are in an unfavourable state— “IBAs in Danger”

IBA monitoring by BirdLife Partners has helped to identify IBAs in Danger




The BirdLife Partnership identified over 300 IBAs worldwide that need effective protection and management.

IBAs guide protection in the oceans

Marine IBAs have been instrumental in identifying Protected Areas in the oceans




IBAs affect how we manage marine resources such as fish stocks

What will it cost to save nature and protect it?




How much will it cost:

• To save all threatened species from extinction?

• To protect and manage key sites like Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas?

BirdLife data show that US$80 billion per year is needed for global nature protection

Investing in conservation is essential… and affordable




This expense an investment ,not a bill. The alternative will be far more costly

BirdLife Partners are implementing effective solutions

BirdLife Partners have taken action for over 537 threatened species (40%), since 2008




Species can be saved from extinction

Over ten years, action by BirdLife Partners and others prevented the extinction of 16 bird species




Habitat restoration and the removal of invasive plant species by the BirdLife Partner in Portugal has helped save the Azores Bullfinch from extinction.

In Brazil, the BirdLife Partner and others have successfully lobbied for a new state park to safeguard the future of the Restinga Antwren

Citizen Science: Working Together on the State of Canada’s Birds

Jon McCrackenDirector of National Programs, Bird Studies Canada

Co-chair, Birds Specialist Subcommittee (Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada)

www.stateofcanadasbirds.org

• Canada’s first comprehensive report on the health of bird populations

• What can changes in bird populations tell us about our environment?

• How is human activity affecting bird populations?

Report Overview

Changes in Canada’s Birds

On average Canadian bird populations have declined by 12%

Some groups of species doing well (33% of species)

Other groups of species declining (44% of species)

Canada’s Species at Risk

85% of Canadians say laws protecting species at risk are crucial to the diversity and abundance of wildlife, the Canadian economy, and Canadians’ health. – Ipsos Reid poll (December 2012)

70 bird species in Canada face some risk of extinction or extirpation Four others are already Extinct or Extirpated.

Canada Warbler (Threatened)

Raptors (hawks, eagles, falcons)– 70% average increase– Populations of many species had crashed by the 1960s,

largely as a result of pesticides such as DDT– Banning of DDT has allowed many species to recover -- and

made the environment healthier for people

Birds of Prey are recovering

Bald Eagle

Peregrine Falcon

Waterfowl (ducks, geese, swans) – 45% average increase since 1970– Reflects success of conservation

and management actions– Effective regulation of hunting

began in 1917, spurred by dramatic declines in populations of many species because of intense commercial exploitation

– Investment in wetland habitat conservation has been key since then

Waterfowl are doing well

Aerial Insectivores (birds that catch insects in flight, such as swallows, swifts and flycatchers)

– 64% decline– Causes uncertain:

• changes in insect populations? • loss of habitat? • climate change?

Barn Swallow Common Nighthawk Olive-sided Flycatcher

Aerial Insectivores in decline

Grassland birds in trouble Grassland birds - 45% decline

– Some species have declined more than 90%– Loss of breeding and winter habitat

• Conversion of native grassland• Agricultural intensification – replacing pasture with grain

Eastern Meadowlark Bobolink McCown’s Longspur

Citizen Science is Key

– Christmas Bird Count– Breeding Bird Survey– Project FeederWatch– Migration Monitoring– eBird Canada– Breeding Bird Atlases

There are many opportunities. Learn more at: www.birdscanada.org/volunteer

An army of thousands of talented volunteer birders help monitor Canada’s bird populations through a variety of programs:

Ted CheskeyManager of Bird Conservation

Programs, Nature Canada

International Conservation:Opportunities for Action

• Author of over 20 bird conservation plans• Steering committee member and co-author of State of

Canada’s Birds• 35 years in bird monitoring and conservation

4 in 5 “Canadian” bird species spend much of their lives beyond our borders.

Where do “our” birds go?

Migrant DeclineUSA 5%Central America and Caribbean 15%

South America 60%

Year-round Residents IncreaseCanada (year-round residents) 50%

Olive-sided Flycatcher

Further = Worse off

Olive-sided Flycatcher Arctic TernWood Thrush

Disappearing shorebirds

Shorebirds (sandpipers, plovers) 42% decline overall Largest declines for Arctic-nesting

species (>60%) Amazing migrations Dependency on stop-over sites Susceptibility to disturbance Unknown contribution of climate

change

Panama Bay Whimbrel

Story of the Rufa Red Knot• Migrates from Canadian Arctic to Tierra del Fuego

(30,000 km round trip) annually• Depends upon key stop-overs to refuel including

James Bay, Gulf of St. Lawrence, Delaware Bay USA, north east and south east Brazil, and Tierra de Fuego Chile/Argentina.

• Moon Bird

Arrives skinny and hungry Leaves plump and healthy

James Bay, Canada

Delaware Bay, USA

Bahia Lomas, Chile

The Rufa Red Knot

Important Bird Areas: a site-based solution

Important Bird Areas: Priorities for conservation

• 2/3 IBAs in Canada are not formally protected

• IBA networks throughout the Americas benefit our species

• Canadians (government/NGOs/ business, individuals) need to invest conservation efforts abroad

2 views of Panama Bay, Matt Jeffries

Declining grassland birds• Habitat loss is biggest challenge

throughout range• Pesticides also impacting species

Alliance for the Grasslands• Cooperation to conserve grasslands in pampas

of South America• Conserve traditional economy• Promote “certified” beef• Restore grassland bird populations• Apply similar strategies to breeding grounds

in Canada and USA

Upland Sandpiper Bobolink

Address working landscape: International Cooperation protects grassland birds

• We know the priorities for conservation research and action

• We know the solutions:– Investment in Partnerships– Protect IBAs– Flyways approach for key species– Respect and support traditional

economies– Focus research where needed– Apply precautionary principle

• So . . . Let’s do it!

A path forward

Questions?

Thank You!For images or copies of the report: Ami Kingdon [email protected] Allaire SMCC Media Officer (français)[email protected]

To coordinate interviews with panelists: Elaine Secord Bird Studies [email protected]

For more information on BirdLife International:Martin FowlieBirdLife [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]



Dr. Leon Bennun Director of Science, Information and Policy Birdlife International

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