Latest news with #birdConservation
CBC
5 days ago
- General
- CBC
Room for 2,400? Chimney swifts check into a Fredericton chimney
You might not want to live in a chimney, but for a chimney swift, it's the ideal place to rest — and a Fredericton chimney was a recent pit stop for more than 2,400 of the tiny birds. "They're stopping at these roost chimneys along the way, almost like hotels on a road trip," said Allison Manthorne, an aerial insectivore conservation strategist with Birds Canada. But while chimney swifts like to warm up and nest in chimneys, it isn't necessarily common to see 2,400 fly into a single chimney anymore, Manthorne said. "The national population of chimney swifts has declined by about 90 per cent since the 1970s," she said. This is why counts like the Fredericton one are a good sign for the population. A chimney swift is most likely to be found high up in the sky, Manthorne said. From below, the bird appears as a boomerang-shaped, black silhouette. Their legs are short but they have relatively huge feet, helping them cling vertically to surfaces. Nationally and in New Brunswick, the species is threatened. Birds Canada has a national roost monitoring-program that puts staff and volunteers at roost sites to count the birds entering particular chimneys. Manthorne said this helps the group get a sense of whether the population is increasing or decreasing. Last weekend, Emma Lennox, a Birds Canada technician, was at the Fredericton roost near Queen's Square as part of the national count. She took a video so the organization could play it back in slow motion and get an accurate count. WATCH | Birds make pit stop at Fredericton chimney: How many swifts can fit in a chimney? At least 2,400! 4 days ago Duration 2:15 A technician with Birds Canada captured more than 2,400 chimney swifts flying into a Fredericton chimney on May 25. That video captured more than 2,400 swifts entering the chimney. "That is only the second highest number or total of chimney swifts that we've counted at that roost," Manthorne said. "The last time we counted anything close to the 2,400 … was in 2018 and the record was 2,700 birds. "All of those birds are funnelling into that one chimney, and they're roosting together overnight. Now this happens across the Maritimes and across … Eastern Canada, but not really anywhere close to those numbers." Chimney swifts are relatively small birds, about 12 to 15 centimetres long, with a wingspan of only about 30 centimetres. Once they get into the chimney, Manthorne said as the night goes on, they cuddle closer together, helping them to regulate their temperatures and conserve energy. "They can pack in so close that it's almost like ... house shingles," she said. "Occasionally, you'll see that kind of band of swifts in their little snuggle puddle ... go up or down the wall based on what the temperature is." Manthorne said the birds fly to the region from South America and stop at roost chimneys along the way. When they reach their destination, they meet up with their partner and, once the weather is good enough, each pair will find its own chimney to nest in. She said the best chimneys are unlined and in their original condition, and it's important to preserve the chimneys that do exist. Masonry, stone or concrete chimneys aren't really being built anymore. "If you are lucky enough to have a nesting pair in your chimney, you could expect year after year that that same pair will come back, and it's likely that their offspring will then come back in generations in the future." And because the birds are a threatened species, Manthorne said, it's also crucial to not harm them if they roost in your chimney. It's a good idea to close your damper once you've stopped heating for the season, so the birds can't get inside. And if your chimney is lined with metal, it's a good idea to have a cap on it because often the birds, or other animals, will go down the chimney and can't get out. Most of the time though, people don't even know if they have swifts in their chimney. "They're really good house guests," Manthorne said.
Forbes
25-05-2025
- Science
- Forbes
Meet America's Only 3 Native Parrots — One Is Extinct, One Relocated To Mexico, And One Thrives In This Southern State
Parrots are among the most vibrant and loquacious birds in the world — and are typically found in ... More equatorial habitats. Here are three that make, or have made, their home in the USA. Bird species are abundant throughout the world. However, they used to be much more abundant. One study published in PLOS ONE reports that at least 279 bird species have gone extinct since 1500. If you go back to the late Pleistocene epoch (about 10,000+ years ago), research suggests that number grows to about 1,400 species. That said, it's difficult to correctly estimate the number of extinct birds due to what scientists refer to as 'low fossilization potential.' In other words, birds, being smaller than, say, saber-toothed cats or woolly mammoths, are less likely to have been adequately preserved in the fossil record. We know, definitively, that the following three parrot species inhabited what is now considered the continental United States — and one still does. Here's their story. The extinct Carolina parakeet once brightened eastern U.S. forests with its vibrant green, yellow, ... More and orange plumage. Once common across the eastern and midwestern United States, the Carolina parakeet (Conuropsis carolinensis) was a striking sight with its vivid green body, yellow head and orange face. This parrot was the only native parrot species known to inhabit such a broad range of temperate North America, from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico. These birds were often found in old-growth forests and swamps, nesting in hollow trees and foraging for seeds and fruit. Unfortunately, by the early 20th century, the Carolina parakeet was extinct. Habitat destruction played a significant role in their decline, as forests were cleared for agriculture and urban development. (Sidebar: From America's forests to Asia's jungles, human pressure has erased countless animals — including three tiger subspecies lost in our lifetime. Read their story here.) But the most devastating impacts came from human persecution: farmers killed them in large numbers, believing they were crop pests, and the birds' habit of returning to mourn fallen flockmates made them easy targets. They were also captured for the pet trade and for use in hat-making. The last known wild specimen was seen in Florida in the early 1900s, and the final captive bird, named "Incas," died in the Cincinnati Zoo in 1918 – coincidentally in the same aviary where the last passenger pigeon died. Despite scattered unconfirmed sightings over the years, the Carolina parakeet is officially extinct. Now found only in Mexico, the thick-billed parrot was once native to Arizona and New Mexico's ... More high-elevation pine forests. Unlike the extinct Carolina parakeet, the thick-billed parrot (Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha) still exists, but not in the United States. Once found in the highlands of Arizona and New Mexico, this robust green parrot with a bright red forehead and loud, crow-like call was driven out of its U.S. range by the mid-20th century due to logging, hunting, and habitat fragmentation. Its reliance on old-growth coniferous forests, particularly those containing large pines, made it especially vulnerable to deforestation. In the 1980s and 1990s, efforts were made to reintroduce the thick-billed parrot to the U.S., but these attempts were unsuccessful. Captive-bred birds released into the wild faced multiple challenges, including predators, inadequate survival skills and a lack of suitable habitat. Some also flew back to Mexico, where the species still survives in the Sierra Madre Occidental. (Sidebar: The thick-billed parrot and Carolina parakeet aren't the only U.S. birds lost to time. Meet three more beautiful birds that vanished from America forever.) Today, the thick-billed parrot is classified as endangered and is found only in northern Mexico. Conservationists are working to protect its remaining habitat and stabilize its population. Discussions about future reintroduction efforts in the U.S. continue, but any such plan would require significant restoration of its native forest ecosystem. Unlike the other two native parrots, the green parakeet (Psittacara holochlorus) is alive and well in southern Texas. Native to northeastern Mexico, this medium-sized parrot with vivid green feathers and a loud, screeching call has successfully expanded its range northward. Small flocks have established breeding populations in the Rio Grande Valley and surrounding areas, thanks in part to urban environments providing plenty of food and nesting spots. Green parakeets are social birds, often seen in large flocks roosting in palm trees or on utility lines. They're highly adaptable, feeding on fruits, seeds, and cultivated crops. Some ornithologists debate whether the Texas populations are entirely natural or partly the result of escaped or released pets blending with wild flocks. Regardless, these birds have become a charismatic part of the regional ecosystem. Unlike the Carolina parakeet or thick-billed parrot, the green parakeet's presence in the U.S. isn't tied to ancient history but rather to more recent cross-border expansion. While not officially listed as threatened or endangered, their status is monitored, especially as urban sprawl and climate change continue to reshape the landscape. Does thinking about the extinction of a species instantly change your mood? Take the Connectedness to Nature Scale to see where you stand on this unique personality dimension.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
A rare desert songbird sounds 'red alert' for endangered bird species in Arizona
Arizona's desert birds are in decline, according to a national conservation report tracking long-term bird populations, prompting one conservation group to ask the federal government to take action on behalf of a quickly disappearing, rare songbird. The Center for Biological Diversity has petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect the Bendire's thrasher under the Endangered Species Act. The Bendire's thrasher is one of the nation's fastest declining birds, according to the petition, losing almost 90% of its population over the past 50 years. Over half of the species' population lives in Arizona, where threats like urban sprawl and climate change have caused significant habitat loss. The call to list the Benshire's thrasher reflects a larger trend of bird population decline across the country. Nationally, about a third of all bird species found in the U.S. are at risk due to small or declining populations and other threats, according to the U.S. State of the Birds Report. The report is an assessment of the nation's bird populations compiled by scientists from several bird conservation groups. Data sources for the report include U.S. Fish and Wildlife population surveys, National Audubon Society's bird counts, U.S. Geological Survey's Breeding Bird Survey and Cornell Lab of Ornithology's eBird Status and Trends project. Of the 31 desert-dwelling bird species tracked in the report, more than half showed declining populations in the last 50 years. None of those arid land bird species in the report showed an increasing population. 'The fact that we're seeing such a decline in the Bendire's thrasher population signals high levels of degradation in the ecosystem and declines in other species,' said Krista Kemppinen, senior scientist at the Center for Biological Diversity. 'The Bendire's thrasher has an ecological role, but it's also an indicator of changes that may be happening in less studied species and of changes yet to come,' said Kemppinen. Birds at risk: 'Rarer creatures': Elegant trogons, hummingbirds alter flight paths as drought persists The Bendire's thrasher was named after Charles Bendire, a U.S. Army Lieutenant and naturalist who came across the unknown bird in the 1870s. The medium-sized desert songbird has a dusty brown plumage, bright yellow eyes and a long tail. Found in shrubby desert and grassland habitats, the thrasher spends much of its time skittering on the ground searching for its next meal with its tail cocked in the air. The term 'thrasher' is used to describe birds that forage on the ground and 'thrash' leaf litter or dirt in search of their next meal. The Bendire's thrasher is a shy bird, except during breeding season, when the male thrashers sing a rich but jumbled song. The U.S. State of the Birds Report categorizes the Bendire's thrasher as one of 42 red-alert tipping point species, meaning the species requires immediate conservation action to ensure recovery. One of the biggest threats facing the species is sprawl from population centers in the state. The flat, shrubby desert land where the thrashers live is also a prime location for development projects, like the proposed Interstate 11 corridor, a 280-mile highway that would stretch from Wickenburg to Nogales. 'The reason why unchecked development into desert habitat is a concern, is because it destroys the habitat and resources that the thrasher needs for breathing, nesting and overall survival,' said Kemppinen. 'It also serves to increase the fragmentation of existing habitat into smaller and smaller patches. That ultimately become so small that they're unable to support viable populations of native species.' If you like reading about birds: Sign up for AZ Climate, The Republic's weekly environment newsletter Conservationists have been tracking the thrasher's decline for over a decade. In 2010, a diverse coalition of environmental groups and state and federal agencies formed the Desert Thrasher Working Group, a project under the Borderlands Avian Data Center, to study population trends and create management practices for the Bendire's thrasher, LeConte's thrasher and loggerhead shrike. Initially focused on developing survey protocols for the elusive birds, in recent years, the group has begun creating best practices for solar energy projects seeking to develop thrasher habitats. 'These are attractive areas for solar. They don't have a lot of tall trees and the land's rather flat,' said Jennie MacFarland, the director of bird conservation with Tucson Bird Alliance, who is a part of the Desert Thrasher Working Group. 'It looks like this is empty desert, and it's not. It's home for birds like Bendire's and LeConte's thrashers. Caring for condors: At a remote Arizona wildlife center, biologists treat endangered birds Simply having a small population doesn't mean a species meets the requirements to be listed under the Endangered Species Act. The federal law lists five factors to determine whether a species is at risk of extinction. The Bendire's thrasher meets four of those five factors, according to the center, including destruction or threats to habitat, disease or predation, inadequacy of existing regulations, and other manmade or natural factors that threaten the species' existence. If the Bendire's thrasher is listed under the Endangered Species Act, U.S. Fish and Wildlife will craft a recovery plan that will contain specific actions to conserve the species in the wild. The petition is only the first step. Now that the center's petition has been submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife, the federal agency will have 90 days to respond. If the agency moves forward, a multi-year scientific analysis and environmental review will be conducted before the Bendire's thrasher is officially listed under the Endangered Species Act. In the meantime, as multiple desert bird species see population decline, MacFarland points to the public's willingness to adapt their properties to bird-friendly habitats as a positive development for conservation. 'One of the biggest bright spots is seeing how many people are interested in turning their yards, their human habitat, into suitable habitat for the species that are willing to live in more urban areas,' said MacFarland with Tucson Bird Alliance. 'Tons of people that are really interested and committed to it, and do a lot of work to make their properties and yards good for birds and wildlife.' John Leos covers environmental issues for The Arizona Republic and azcentral. Send tips or questions to Environmental coverage on and in The Arizona Republic is supported by a grant from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. Follow The Republic environmental reporting team at and @azcenvironment on Facebook and Instagram. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Group seeks endangered status for Bendire's thrasher, desert songbird
New York Times
14-05-2025
- General
- New York Times
A ‘Quixotic' Fight to Protect a Bird That Can Be Hard to Love
Whether goslings live or die at the Central Park Reservoir could be up to two 70-something, nature-loving men who first crossed paths there this winter. Edward Dorson, a wildlife photographer and regular visitor to the reservoir, learned in 2021 that federal workers were destroying the eggs of Canada geese there as part of a government safety program to decrease bird collisions with airplanes. He tried to stop it. He reached out to animal rights organizations and wrote letters to various government agencies. He got nowhere. Then in December, he met Larry Schnapf, a tough-talking environmental lawyer, who spotted Mr. Dorson admiring the birds and introduced himself. Mr. Dorson told him about the nest destruction. Mr. Schnapf, in his 40-year legal career, had mostly focused on redeveloping contaminated properties but had picked up the occasional pro bono passion project. 'I told him I take on quixotic pursuits,' Mr. Schnapf said. Now, they are teaming up to protect the eggs of a small population of Canada geese that nest around the reservoir, a popular attraction for joggers and bird watchers. The battle will undoubtedly be uphill: They are lobbying multiple government agencies during a fraught time in aviation where bird strikes are one of many concerns, on behalf of a bird often described as a nuisance because of its honking cries and the droppings it leaves on lawns, parks and golf courses. The men say they appreciate the importance of protecting planes. But they are seeking to exempt the Central Park Reservoir from the egg destruction program so that it can serve as a sanctuary for the nesting geese. They argue that Central Park is far enough from the area's airports that the geese do not pose a major problem. Mr. Schnapf said he plans to send a cease-and-desist letter to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which oversees five major airports in the region, including Kennedy International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport and LaGuardia Airport. The agency works with an arm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture on the safety program. 'I think this is all unlawful,' he said. 'These are protected animals.' Port Authority officials did not comment on the advocacy plans of the two men. But they stressed that government efforts like those underway in Central Park were part of creating safer conditions for air travel. 'Managing wildlife risks — especially from resident Canada geese — near our airports is a life safety imperative and essential to maintaining safe operations,' said Laura Francoeur, the Port Authority's chief wildlife biologist. Although Canada geese are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, authorities have obtained a waiver to control the population. The birds, which can weigh as much as 19 pounds and have a wingspan up to 5.5 feet, according to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, can get sucked into plane engines and bring an aircraft down. Between 2008 and 2023, there were 451 aviation accidents involving commercial aircraft in the United States, with a total of 17 caused by bird strikes, producing five injuries and no fatalities, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. New York City tightened its grip on Canada geese in 2009, after a collision with a flock caused US Airways Flight 1549, piloted by Chesley B. Sullenberger III, to lose both its engines shortly after it took off from LaGuardia. The plane was forced into an emergency water landing in what is now commonly known as the 'miracle on the Hudson.' The event prompted the Port Authority to ask the Department of Agriculture for help. In 2010, federal wildlife workers took on the management of Canada geese populations within seven miles of the city's major airports, including in city parks. Mr. Schnapf calls the current rules an overreach, since Federal Aviation Administration guidelines call for wildlife management only within five miles of airports. A Port Authority spokeswoman said the agency honors all federal regulations, including addressing wildlife hazards within five miles of airports. But she added that the agency will often go beyond that radius when specific threats arise. Data from the F.A.A. shows that Canada geese strikes at LaGuardia and Kennedy Airports have remained consistent over the last two decades, with between zero and four instances per year. Canada geese thrive in people-friendly landscapes, and their population has boomed throughout North America over the last four decades. Many geese have become so comfortable in parks and other green spaces, like the reservoir, that they have stopped migrating, becoming year-round residents. There are about 228,000 resident Canada geese in New York State, up from 150,000 in 2002. The state's Department of Environmental Conservation would like to see that number shrink to 85,000. The two men fighting for the Central Park Reservoir's resident geese were both born in the Bronx, are similar in age and diet (one is a vegetarian, the other a vegan). But the similarities more or less end there. Mr. Dorson, 77, an accomplished underwater photographer and conservationist with a background in the arts, is a soft-spoken lover of hard-to-love animals — he helped start a shark sanctuary in Palau, in Micronesia. Mr. Schnapf, 72, is a fast-talking, fast-acting networker who is not afraid to make noise. 'I told Ed,' he said, 'you've got to rattle the bureaucracy.' Mr. Dorson and Mr. Schnapf are hoping to meet with officials from the Port Authority, the Central Park Conservancy and the city's Department of Environmental Protection, which oversees the reservoir, among other decision makers. 'All we're trying to do is get them to talk to us, so we can come up with a plan so at least some of those eggs can be hatched,' Mr. Schnapf said. Mr. Dorson admitted that, right now, 'I don't see too many people like me who are worried about the geese.' 'But maybe 10 years from now, when there are no geese here, then people might feel the loss,' he said. 'I'd like to change that.'
