Announced at the end of March, the “Atlas for the Americas Flyways” website tracks high concentrations of migratory bird species at risk of major population declines along their routes throughout the Americas. This new United Nations-backed tool identifies heavily trafficked breeding grounds, migratory stopover locations and wintering areas, with the aim of providing policymakers and […]
Tag: migratory bird
Half of seabirds are declining. Protecting marine flyways could help save them
Animals that cross borders often encounter conservation systems that stop at them. Migratory species move through jurisdictions with little regard for political boundaries, relying on habitats spread across large distances and governed by different rules. The result is patchy protection, overlapping threats, and declining populations. Seabirds make this problem clear. They range across entire ocean […]
Georgia Man Fined for Massive Illegal Bird Collection Highlighting Threats to Wildlife
A Georgia orthopedic surgeon was sentenced after amassing one of the largest private collections of illegal bird specimens and rare eggs ever seized in the United States. According to The New York Times reporter Santul Nerkar, John Waldrop was given three years probation and fined $900,000 for conspiracy and violating the Endangered Species Act. Investigators […]
Near-extinct Siberian crane is recovering thanks to habitat protection
Over the past decade, the population of the critically endangered Siberian crane has increased by nearly 50%, according to the International Crane Foundation. The foundation said the boost in the snowy-white Siberian crane’s (Leucogeranus leucogeranus) numbers is the result of efforts to secure the migratory bird‘s stopover sites along its eastern flyway, or migratory route, […]
High-Rise Buildings in Chicago Threaten Birds
Each year, thousands of migratory birds face significant risks as they pass through urban areas like Chicago. The city’s tall buildings and illuminated structures, especially at night, create hazardous conditions for birds traveling along major migratory paths. These birds, often confused by artificial lighting, crash into windows and structures, leading to injury or death. Organizations […]
Drier Winter Habitat Impacts Songbirds’ Ability To Survive Migration
A new study from researchers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) shows environmental conditions in migratory birds‘ winter homes carry over to affect their ability to survive spring migration and the breeding season. While scientists have long known that the quality of winter, or non-breeding, habitat influences migratory birds‘ migration timing […]
CITES suspends Bangladesh as illegal wild bird trade continues
Bangladesh, a signatory nation of CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), has failed to control illegal bird trade and has recently been suspended from the convention. Data shows that Bangladesh has been importing several species of endangered birds from the international market to sell locally as pets. […]
This bird came back from extinction – now scientists in an aircraft are teaching it to migrate
The northern bald ibis was extinct in central Europe for 300 years. Now, it has returned – and scientist “foster parents” aboard a tiny plane are teaching the birds to fly their long-forgotten migration routes. Thirty-six of these endangered birds are now following an ultralight aircraft 1,740 miles (2,800km ) from Austria to Spain, on […]