![Evening Grosbeak / Photo by Dave Menke (USFWS)](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjChsTrrjAU_hjM-d65R7AbIfFMRvMZ1l8z3IqaJE8-Kigs7vVlgGEjZGdFs7wVk9aYhpJoItesTF-lKl_C1UvH4Eic85k9bc30IDxNiGIMzEYEpyZm0esY0Horr2uGndhgvJxgSQ/s200/evening_grosbeak_usfws_sm.jpg)
Analysis of data from the
Christmas Bird Count and
Breeding Bird Survey reveals that many common bird species have declined over the past forty years. The causes are varied, but most of the worst cases fall into two distinct groups. Grassland birds are under severe pressure due to the loss of old field habitat to suburban development and industrialized agriculture. Birds that breed in the far north face habitat changes due to climate change and deforestation of large chunks of the boreal forest. None of these birds is in danger of extinction at this time, but their rapid decline is still cause for concern.
Here are the twenty birds with the
steepest losses in population:
- Northern Bobwhite
- Evening Grosbeak
- Northern Pintail
- Greater Scaup
- Boreal Chickadee
- Eastern Meadowlark
- Common Tern
- Loggerhead Shrike
- Field Sparrow
- Grasshopper Sparrow
- Snow Bunting
- Black-throated Sparrow
- Lark Sparrow
- Common Grackle
- American Bittern
- Rufous Hummingbird
- Whip-poor-will
- Horned Lark
- Little Blue Heron
- Ruffed Grouse
You can read more about the findings at
Audubon's State of the Birds page.
(via
Birdchaser)