A team of Australian scientists estimated that there are more than 50,000 million wild birds living on Earth, a number that triples the planet’s human population. The study, recently published, analyzed over 9,700 living species using sighting records shared by citizens on the global platform eBird.
Among the most abundant species are the house sparrow, with approximately 1.6 billion individuals, followed by European starlings, common swifts, and ring-billed gulls, all with populations exceeding one million individuals.
However, the report also reveals a worrying fact: one out of every ten bird species has less than 5,000 individuals in the world, placing them in a critical situation and at high risk of extinction.
The data reflects a higher concentration of birds in regions such as Europe, northern Asia, northern Africa, parts of the Arabian Peninsula, and North America, while in places like Madagascar and Antarctica, populations are considerably lower.
This new global overview of birdlife represents a key tool for conservation policies, allowing for a better assessment of which species need urgent protection and where efforts should be focused to prevent their extinction.
The Andean condor is one of the bird species on the planet that is in danger of extinction.
Which birds are in danger of extinction globally?
Globally, several bird species are in danger of extinction. Among them are the Andean Condor, the Hooded Grebe, the Spix’s Macaw, the Hyacinth Macaw, and many birds of prey such as the Spanish Imperial Eagle, the Peregrine Falcon, and Vultures.
Bird species in danger of extinction globally
- Andean Condor: It is in danger of extinction due to habitat loss and poisoning.
- Hooded Grebe: This species is critically endangered and endemic to Argentina.
- Spix’s Macaw: This striking South American macaw is in danger of extinction.
- Hyacinth Macaw: Deforestation and habitat loss are the main threats to this species.
- Birds of prey: Many birds of prey such as the Spanish Imperial Eagle, the Peregrine Falcon, and Vultures are in danger of extinction due to poaching, pollution, and habitat destruction.
- Other examples: Gran Canaria Blue Chaffinch, Spoon-billed Sandpiper, and many other species.
Source: VideoElephant.
