For the first time, researchers found that threatened species aren’t the only birds suffering population loss. In fact, common birds—including beloved backyard companions like sparrows and blackbirds—are taking the biggest hit.

The results of their analysis of 529 avian species reveal some stark realities. “A total of 419 native migratory species experienced a net loss of 2.5 billion individuals,” the study says. More than 90 percent of the total loss can be attributed to just 12 bird families, including sparrows, warblers, blackbirds, larks and finches. Some of these widespread birds are so-called “habitat generalists,” or birds that can thrive just about anywhere. The large-scale loss of these hardy birds reveals the extent to which avian animals across the world are struggling to survive.

Famed 20th century ornithologist Roger Tory Peterson called birds “an ecological litmus paper.” They are crucial to the health of many ecosystems, and their populations anticipate the health of whole environments.

“Birds are at the top of the food web,” Sillett says. “Birds are the sentinel. If you have huge declines of birds, it tells you something is amiss.”

Other organisms on Earth are experiencing similar losses. We’re facing an “insect apocalypse,” and amphibians are declining at an “alarming and rapid rate.”

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/north-america-has-lost-nearly-3-billion-birds-180973178/

Interesting.

Does it also take into account the numbers of introduced species like starlings?

The blackbirds
They fell in thousands from the sky
Their red wings
Streaming down from the higher seas
Deflected by the ground
They crowned the sun

PermeateFree said:

For the first time, researchers found that threatened species aren’t the only birds suffering population loss. In fact, common birds—including beloved backyard companions like sparrows and blackbirds—are taking the biggest hit.

The results of their analysis of 529 avian species reveal some stark realities. “A total of 419 native migratory species experienced a net loss of 2.5 billion individuals,” the study says. More than 90 percent of the total loss can be attributed to just 12 bird families, including sparrows, warblers, blackbirds, larks and finches. Some of these widespread birds are so-called “habitat generalists,” or birds that can thrive just about anywhere. The large-scale loss of these hardy birds reveals the extent to which avian animals across the world are struggling to survive.

Famed 20th century ornithologist Roger Tory Peterson called birds “an ecological litmus paper.” They are crucial to the health of many ecosystems, and their populations anticipate the health of whole environments.

“Birds are at the top of the food web,” Sillett says. “Birds are the sentinel. If you have huge declines of birds, it tells you something is amiss.”

Other organisms on Earth are experiencing similar losses. We’re facing an “insect apocalypse,” and amphibians are declining at an “alarming and rapid rate.”

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/north-america-has-lost-nearly-3-billion-birds-180973178/

Didn’t even think of the insects dominating due to massive animal loss of those that eat them

Cymek said:

The blackbirds
They fell in thousands from the sky
Their red wings
Streaming down from the higher seas
Deflected by the ground
They crowned the sun

Have they blamed DT yet?

Tamb said:

Cymek said:

The blackbirds
They fell in thousands from the sky
Their red wings
Streaming down from the higher seas
Deflected by the ground
They crowned the sun

Have they blamed DT yet?

Before his time, the human race is general, its a song by Serj Tankian

party_pants said:

Interesting.

Does it also take into account the numbers of introduced species like starlings?

>>Even invasive or introduced species are faring poorly, suggesting declining species aren’t being replaced by species that do well in human-altered landscapes.

“This is a big, big punch in our continental gut in terms of what we’re doing to our environment,” Marra says.<<

Tamb said:

Cymek said:

The blackbirds
They fell in thousands from the sky
Their red wings
Streaming down from the higher seas
Deflected by the ground
They crowned the sun

Have they blamed DT yet?

>>Industrial agriculture may present an even bigger challenge. Morrissey notes that the species disappearing most rapidly—sparrows, blackbirds, larks—are associated with agriculture. In recent decades, agriculture has shifted to an industrial model.

“We’ve increased food potential, but we’ve created sterile landscapes,” Morrissey says. “We need to change the way we grow food. Birds are signaling that we are doing it wrong.”<<

PermeateFree said:

For the first time, researchers found that threatened species aren’t the only birds suffering population loss. In fact, common birds—including beloved backyard companions like sparrows and blackbirds—are taking the biggest hit.

The results of their analysis of 529 avian species reveal some stark realities. “A total of 419 native migratory species experienced a net loss of 2.5 billion individuals,” the study says. More than 90 percent of the total loss can be attributed to just 12 bird families, including sparrows, warblers, blackbirds, larks and finches. Some of these widespread birds are so-called “habitat generalists,” or birds that can thrive just about anywhere. The large-scale loss of these hardy birds reveals the extent to which avian animals across the world are struggling to survive.

Famed 20th century ornithologist Roger Tory Peterson called birds “an ecological litmus paper.” They are crucial to the health of many ecosystems, and their populations anticipate the health of whole environments.

“Birds are at the top of the food web,” Sillett says. “Birds are the sentinel. If you have huge declines of birds, it tells you something is amiss.”

Other organisms on Earth are experiencing similar losses. We’re facing an “insect apocalypse,” and amphibians are declining at an “alarming and rapid rate.”

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/north-america-has-lost-nearly-3-billion-birds-180973178/

That seems unlikely. The north americans can’t even reliably count the number of birds killed off by each blizzard or bushfire.

If you count chickens, turkeys and other domestic fowl, and work from biomass rather than number of individuals, has the total increased or decreased?

A worry for me is the tiny total biomass of wild mammals. It’s smaller than all three of wild birds, humans, or stock.

> Birds are signaling that we are doing it wrong.

Well, whoever is responsible for “do not feed the birds” signs ought to be shot.

The parks with “do not feed the birds” signs have about 1/10 the population density of birds that other parks do.

mollwollfumble said:

> Birds are signaling that we are doing it wrong.

Well, whoever is responsible for “do not feed the birds” signs ought to be shot.

The parks with “do not feed the birds” signs have about 1/10 the population density of birds that other parks do.

restaurants have a 10th of the eaters most homes do.

mollwollfumble said:

PermeateFree said:

For the first time, researchers found that threatened species aren’t the only birds suffering population loss. In fact, common birds—including beloved backyard companions like sparrows and blackbirds—are taking the biggest hit.

The results of their analysis of 529 avian species reveal some stark realities. “A total of 419 native migratory species experienced a net loss of 2.5 billion individuals,” the study says. More than 90 percent of the total loss can be attributed to just 12 bird families, including sparrows, warblers, blackbirds, larks and finches. Some of these widespread birds are so-called “habitat generalists,” or birds that can thrive just about anywhere. The large-scale loss of these hardy birds reveals the extent to which avian animals across the world are struggling to survive.

Famed 20th century ornithologist Roger Tory Peterson called birds “an ecological litmus paper.” They are crucial to the health of many ecosystems, and their populations anticipate the health of whole environments.

“Birds are at the top of the food web,” Sillett says. “Birds are the sentinel. If you have huge declines of birds, it tells you something is amiss.”

Other organisms on Earth are experiencing similar losses. We’re facing an “insect apocalypse,” and amphibians are declining at an “alarming and rapid rate.”

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/north-america-has-lost-nearly-3-billion-birds-180973178/

That seems unlikely. The north americans can’t even reliably count the number of birds killed off by each blizzard or bushfire.

If you count chickens, turkeys and other domestic fowl, and work from biomass rather than number of individuals, has the total increased or decreased?

A worry for me is the tiny total biomass of wild mammals. It’s smaller than all three of wild birds, humans, or stock.

Bird numbers are in trouble all over the world, obviously some more than others. Bird counts are very difficult to do and can be up or down in any given period, but trends are reasonably reliable when taken over a number of years like this one having been 50 years. If you read the article it gives the figures broken down into genera, with numerous conclusions and ways to possibly improve the situation. But however, no matter how you look at the situation it is not good and should be taken seriously.

Cymek said:

PermeateFree said:

For the first time, researchers found that threatened species aren’t the only birds suffering population loss. In fact, common birds—including beloved backyard companions like sparrows and blackbirds—are taking the biggest hit.
<snip>
“Birds are at the top of the food web,” Sillett says. “Birds are the sentinel. If you have huge declines of birds, it tells you something is amiss.”

Other organisms on Earth are experiencing similar losses. We’re facing an “insect apocalypse,” and amphibians are declining at an “alarming and rapid rate.”

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/north-america-has-lost-nearly-3-billion-birds-180973178/

</snip>

Didn’t even think of the insects dominating due to massive animal loss of those that eat them

Insect eating bats & amphibians are most definitely in decline
but before you worry about overpopulating insects… don’t…

Rachel Carson warned about a “Silent Spring” but I can report
that in reality it’s been followed up with a Silent Summer & Fall (autumn)

While I don’t get down in the dirt counting individual insects I can readily HEAR
the difference by the utter lack of Cricket, Cicada & Kadydid mating calls day & night.

…so my uneducated guess is that bird loss MAY BE do to Insect Loss to feed hatchlings.

It may be due to climate shift, but mainly Industrial FARMING Practices w/unchecked insecticide usage