Birdlife in Decline

According to Birdlife, an analysis of the IUCN Red List shows that there is a steady and continuing deterioration in the status of the world’s birds. At least 40% of bird species worldwide have declining populations, compared with 44% that are stable, 7% that are increasing, and 8% with unknown trends.

What is Happening?

The abundant use of pesticides in industrial agriculture is killing insects, the main source of food for birds. Many are also poisoned after ingestion of contaminated insects. Intensive agriculture results in the gradual disappearance of grasslands, replaced by fields treated with pesticides. The destruction of hedgerows and wild spaces also contributes to the decline of insect populations.