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Migratory Birds Face Extinction Crisis
11 Sep
Summary
- Nearly half of migratory bird species are declining globally.
- A global report highlights human activities as the main threat.
- Nairobi summit pledges $6 billion for migratory bird protection.
A recent global report indicates that 45% of migratory bird species, including cuckoos and Arctic terns, are experiencing declines. The slender-billed curlew was declared extinct last year, marking the first extinction of a bird species in mainland Eurasia and Africa in centuries. Human activities, such as intensified farming, hunting, pollution, and climate change, are overwhelmingly responsible for these threats. Seabirds and shorebirds are particularly affected due to the degradation of marine and coastal habitats.
The State of the World's Birds report was unveiled at the Global Flyways summit in Nairobi, Kenya. During the summit, a commitment was made to enhance protection for migratory birds along their flyways. This initiative includes development banks integrating flyway conservation into their lending, allocating $6 billion for habitat protection and restoration. Persecution, invasive species, and habitat loss are significant factors, with over half of key biodiversity areas for migratory birds in poor condition.
However, conservation efforts are showing success. Eradicating invasive species from Macquarie Island in Australia has aided seabird populations. In China, restoring coastal mudflats has reopened vital feeding grounds. Wetland restoration in Britain has attracted thousands of waterbirds. These successes demonstrate that coordinated international action, supported by financial commitments like those from the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank, can reverse declines and safeguard migratory species.
