US, Canada bird numbers dwindle

– The number of birds in the United States and Canada has fallen by an astonishing 29%, or almost three billion, since 1970, scientists reported this week, saying their findings signalled a widespread ecological crisis.

Grassland birds are the most affected, because of the disappearance of meadows and prairies and the extension of farmland, as well as the growing use of pesticides that kill insects that affects the entire food chain.

But forest birds and species that occur in a wider variety of habitats – known as habitat generalists – are also part of the downward trend.

“We see the same thing happening the world over – the intensification of agriculture and land use changes are placing pressure on these bird populations,” said Ken Rosenberg, an ornithologist at Cornell University and principal co-author of the paper in

“Now, we see fields of corn and other crops right up to the horizon.

“Everything is sanitised and mechanised, there’s no room left for birds, fauna and nature.”

More than 90% of the losses are from 12 species, including sparrows, warblers, blackbirds, and finches.

The figures mirror declines observed elsewhere, notably France, where the National Observatory of Biodiversity estimates a 30% decline in grasslands birds between 1989 and 2017.

The US study combined two data sources.

The first was annual surveys carried out each northern hemisphere spring, during the breeding season, conducted by thousands of volunteers, according to an identical methodology, since 1970.

The volunteers stopped every 500m along a 40km journey through the countryside, counting all the birds they saw in a three minute period.

Researchers then compiled and analysed the results.

The second source came from observations from 143 radar stations, which can detect the flocks of birds during migrations that took place at night.

More than half of the North American bird species are migratory, flying either to the southern US or to Central and South America,

The radar information was less precise but also showed a decline of 13.6% between 2007 and 2017, with a margin of error of nine points.

Ducks and geese are the big exception: after a period of decline, their numbers have grown since 1970.

That is thanks to increased awareness among hunters who have supported protection measures, Rosenberg said.

Ornithologists also mention other factors, such as cats left outside, and even birds dying after smashing into the windows of houses.

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