Mar 5, 2024
There are at least 18,000 bird species in the world, many of which are at risk of extinction. Birds play a significant role in maintaining natural ecosystems. These endangered bird species are in dire need of saving.
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Famously known as the own parrot, the kakapo is a flightless parrot found in New Zealand. The critically endangered bird species are confined to just two small islands off the coast of southern New Zealand.
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New Zealand is also home to another flightless bird, the kiwi. Due to habitat loss as well as early hunting and trapping, the population of kiwi saw numbers plummet.
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The European turtle dove used to be hugely abundant and wide-ranging, migrating to Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East from the Sahel zone of Africa. But because of their habitat loss and hunting, the species is now at risk of extinction.
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The snowy owl is one of the most widely recognised birds in the world. The bird species is experiencing a rapid decline, most likely driven by climate change.
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With its charmingly striped beak, the Atlantic puffin has captivated wildlife enthusiasts. However, overfishing and climate change threaten the species and is now considered vulnerable to extinction.
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This friendly and highly intelligent parrot is extremely popular. Because of the extensive harvest of wild birds, in addition to habitat loss, this species is believed to be undergoing a rapid decline in the wild.
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Across Africa and Eurasia, the vulture population is in fall. Only two out of the 16 species of 'old world' vultures remain off the endangered list, while eight are classified as critically endangered, three are endangered and the remaining three are near threatened.
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The vibrantly blue hyacinth macaw is the world's largest flying parrot and nests almost exclusively in the Amazon rainforest. Land clearing and deforestation in the Amazon have been the biggest threat to the species.
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The North African ostrich is critically endangered. Habitat loss and overhunting are the main sources of population decline.
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The population of burrowing owls has been declining for many years, owing primarily to habitat loss. It is one of the smallest owl species and can mostly be found in the prairie grasslands of Canada.
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