One in nine migratory birds threatened with extinction, global report says
Findings on decline of species such as Arctic tern and turtle dove published alongside flyways pledge at Kenya summit
TL;DR
- One in nine migratory birds are threatened with extinction, and 45% of migratory species are in decline.
- Human activities such as farming, hunting, pollution, invasive species, and global heating are the primary threats.
- Seabirds and shorebirds are particularly badly affected due to dependence on marine habitats and coastal wetlands.
- The slender-billed curlew was declared extinct last year, marking the first global bird extinction in mainland Eurasia and Africa in recent centuries.
- Conservation efforts, including habitat restoration and eradication of invasive species, have shown success in reviving some bird populations.
- The Nairobi Flyways Declaration commits to increased protection of migratory birds along their flyways, with significant financial pledges from development banks.
- Illegal killing and persecution of migratory birds remain a significant threat, particularly in Europe, the Mediterranean, the Caucasus, and the Arabian peninsula.