Report: US bird population is declining
The U.S. bird population is declining at an alarming rate, according to a report published Thursday by an alliance of science and conservation groups.
Habitat loss and climate change are among the key contributing factors to the bird population losses, according to the 2025 U.S. State of the Birds report.
More than 100 of the species studied, have reached a "tipping point," losing more than half their populations in the last 50 years. The report revealed that the avian population in all habitats is declining, including the duck population, previously considered a triumph of conservation. "The only bright spot is water birds such as herons and egrets that show some increases," Michael Parr, president of the American Bird Conservancy, told Reuters.
The decline in the duck population fell by approximately 30% from 2017, but duck population numbers still remain higher, however, than their 1970 numbers, according to an Associated Press account on the report.
"Roughly one in three bird species (229 species) in the U.S. requires urgent conservation attention, and these species represent the major habitats and systems in the U.S. and include species that we've long considered to be common and abundant," Amanda Rodewald, faculty director of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Center for Avian Population Studies told Reuters.
Included among the birds with highest losses, Reuters reported, are the mottled duck, Allen's hummingbird, yellow-billed loon, red-faced cormorant, greater sage-grouse, Florida scrub jay, Baird's sparrow, saltmarsh sparrow, mountain plover, Hawaiian petrel, Bicknell's thrush, Cassia crossbill, pink-footed shearwater, tricolored blackbird and golden-cheeked warbler. Some of the birds in this "red alert" group are already protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, the news agency said.
"For each species that we're in danger of losing, it's like pulling an individual thread out of the complex tapestry of life," Georgetown University biologist Peter Marra. who was not involved in the new report, told AP. While the outlook may seem dire, it is not without hope, said Marra, who noted the resurgence of the majestic bald eagle.
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Voice of America
14-03-2025
- Voice of America
Report: US bird population is declining
The U.S. bird population is declining at an alarming rate, according to a report published Thursday by an alliance of science and conservation groups. Habitat loss and climate change are among the key contributing factors to the bird population losses, according to the 2025 U.S. State of the Birds report. More than 100 of the species studied, have reached a "tipping point," losing more than half their populations in the last 50 years. The report revealed that the avian population in all habitats is declining, including the duck population, previously considered a triumph of conservation. "The only bright spot is water birds such as herons and egrets that show some increases," Michael Parr, president of the American Bird Conservancy, told Reuters. The decline in the duck population fell by approximately 30% from 2017, but duck population numbers still remain higher, however, than their 1970 numbers, according to an Associated Press account on the report. "Roughly one in three bird species (229 species) in the U.S. requires urgent conservation attention, and these species represent the major habitats and systems in the U.S. and include species that we've long considered to be common and abundant," Amanda Rodewald, faculty director of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Center for Avian Population Studies told Reuters. Included among the birds with highest losses, Reuters reported, are the mottled duck, Allen's hummingbird, yellow-billed loon, red-faced cormorant, greater sage-grouse, Florida scrub jay, Baird's sparrow, saltmarsh sparrow, mountain plover, Hawaiian petrel, Bicknell's thrush, Cassia crossbill, pink-footed shearwater, tricolored blackbird and golden-cheeked warbler. Some of the birds in this "red alert" group are already protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, the news agency said. "For each species that we're in danger of losing, it's like pulling an individual thread out of the complex tapestry of life," Georgetown University biologist Peter Marra. who was not involved in the new report, told AP. While the outlook may seem dire, it is not without hope, said Marra, who noted the resurgence of the majestic bald eagle.
Voice of America
13-03-2025
- Voice of America
Researchers Use New Methods to Date Ancient Skeleton
Scientists have dated the ancient skeleton of a child that drew a lot of attention because it appeared to have both human and Neanderthal qualities. The nearly complete skeleton, first discovered 27 years ago in central Portugal, was red in color. Scientists think it may have been wrapped in a painted animal skin before burial. When the remains were discovered, scientists noted that some of the bone structure looked Neanderthal. The researchers suggested that the child's ancestors came from populations in which humans and Neanderthals mated and mixed. The idea was radical at that time. But progress in genetics has since shown those mixed populations existed — and people today still carry Neanderthal genetic material, or DNA. But scientists have had trouble learning when exactly the child lived. They were were not able to use traditional carbon dating on the bones due to corruption of the remains by plants or other sources. Instead, researchers dated some charcoal and animal bones around the skeleton to between 27,700 and 29,700 years ago. However, dating techniques have since improved. Researchers reported recently in the publication Science Advances that they dated the skeleton by measuring part of a protein found mainly in human bones. Examining part of a crushed arm, researchers found that the earlier estimate was close. They report the skeleton is from between 27,700 and 28,600 years ago. Bethan Linscott of the University of Miami is a study writer. Linscott told the Associated Press (AP), 'Being able to successfully date the child felt like giving them back a tiny piece of their story.' She described the research experience as a privilege, meaning an honor. Linscott noted that the first discovery was of more than just a skeleton, but also a burial site of a young child. When dating the bones, she said she could not help but wonder who loved the child, what made them laugh and what their world looked like in the short four years they walked the planet. Paul Pettitt is an archeologist at Durham University in England who was not involved in the study. He told the AP that the study is an example of how dating methods are becoming more effective and helping scientists better understand the past. The study of where humans came from is important 'for the same reason we keep the portraits of our parents and grandparents,' said study writer João Zilhão of the University of Lisbon. 'It's a way of remembering,' the archeologist said. I'm John Russell. Adithi Ramakrishnan reported on this story for the Associated Press. John Russell adapted it for VOA Learning English. ______________________________________________________ Words in This Story radical – adj. very different from the usual or traditional charcoal – n. a dark or black carbon prepared from vegetable or animal substances portrait – n. a picture of a person
Voice of America
11-03-2025
- Voice of America
Total Lunar Eclipse to Turn Moon Red
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