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| Bristle-thighed Curlew / USFWS Photo |
- The North American bird populations has dropped by almost a third since 1970, a decline of about 3 billion birds. Since common birds account for the bulk of the decline, it has not resulted in species extinctions yet. The organizations behind the study suggest seven actions individuals can take to protect birds from further declines.
- A pair of Hawaiian Crows (or ‘Alalā) built a nest in the wild this year for the first time since the species became extinct in the wild in 2002. The nest failed, which was expected since the crows are still relearning natural behaviors. The crows built their nest in a native ‘Ōhi’a tree, which itself is threatened by an invasive fungus.
- Ron Pittaway's Winter Finch Forecast predicts that most irruptive finches and other songbirds will stay north this winter since seed crops are plentiful.
- Scientists found a hybrid zone between Rufous and Allen's Hummingbirds in southern Oregon and northern California.
- Island bird species may be pushed to extinction by storms like Hurricane Dorian when their habitat is already fragmented. Both island birds and coastal birds are threatened by rising seas.
- Aeon reviews the prevalence of birds in the art and writings of the Classical world.
- Genetic studies have resulted in many species splits over the past decade; in the case of the extinct Canary Islands Oystercatcher, genetic analysis revealed that it was most likely a subspecies of the Eurasian Oystercatcher.
- Climate change could disrupt the breeding cycle for grassland birds like the Little Bustard.
- Sewage ponds can be key migratory stopover sites for shorebirds (and for the birders looking for them).
- Here is a list of places to see California Condors in the wild.
- Greater Sage-Grouse numbers have fallen by 40% in Montana over the past three years, which mirrors declines in neighboring states.
- New Jersey's Bald Eagle population continues to climb, with a record 248 chicks surviving to fledge this summer.
- Avian Hybrids: The Smell of Speciation: Chickadees prefer the scent of their own species
- Cool Green Science: A Field Guide to The Feral Parrots of the US
- The Meadowlands Nature Blog: Don Torino’s Life In The Meadowlands: A Sweet Tree for Meadowlands Wildlife
- The Prairie Ecologist: A Deep-Rooted Prairie Myth
- Zoos Victoria created an app to monitor the Bogong Moth, which is disappearing in some parts of Australia. The moth is a key part of the diet of the Mountain Pygmy Possum.
- A new marine protected area is in the works for the ocean surrounding Ascension Island in the Atlantic Ocean.
- Cook Islands in the South Pacific also recently created a marine protected area to prevent the collapse of local fisheries.
- Wilderness areas can help protect biodiversity.
- Only a small percentage of plastics actually get recycled, which is why reduction of plastic use is a better strategy. The California legislature came up with an example of what plastics reduction might look like, but the bill was not passed before the legislative session ended. Ireland is also working on a single-use plastics ban.
- Here are 10 charts that illustrate climate change.
- Carbon emissions from commercial air travel are rising faster than climate models have predicted. One-quarter of air travel emissions result from flights originating in the U.S.
- Some airports, like Philadelphia International Airport, are threatened by flooding from sea level rise and stronger storms.
- The Trump administration is pushing to start leasing the Arctic NWR's floodplain even as federal agencies warn that drilling there would result in long-term damage and possibly extinctions.
- The administration is also pushing ahead with border wall construction despite the destruction it will cause to archaeological sites and wildlife refuges.
