Where have all of the birds gone?

Bird watchers and scientists are sounding the alarm over the findings of a recently released assessment of North American bird populations.

The study was published in the October edition of Science and it details a wide-spread bird population decline over the past 50 years.The bird population has gone from roughly 10 billion to just over 7 billion now.

The observations show that the loss is not just among rare or threatened species, but also affects more common birds with large territories. The numbers, in real terms, amount to a loss of one in every four birds.

The study was conducted by researchers at seven institutions and it highlights a concern about the environment’s ability to support even our most common bird species.

So, what is causing this precipitous decline? The research points to a combination of factors that include habitat loss, fewer insects, toxic pesticides and outdoor feral and pet cats.

Left to Right: Ron Rohrbaugh, David Barber, Daniel R. Ardia, Ph.D

Appearing on Tuesday’s Smart Talk to help illustrate the issues are Dan Ardia, Professor of biology, Franklin & Marshall College and President of the Association of Field Ornithologists, David Barber, Senior Research Biologist at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, and Ronald Rohrbaugh, Director, Conservation Science and Forest programs with Audubon Pennsylvania.

“Birds are indicators of the environment. If they are in trouble, we know we’ll soon be in trouble.” – Roger Tory Peterson , 1908-1996, American ornithologist