Birds of every shape, size and color are under threat. From the mighty California condor to the tiny purple-backed sunbeam, birds around the world are running out of time. And space — habitat loss is the single largest threat facing birds today. Ironically, bird enthusiasts themselves are also helping to contribute to the decline of many species, which are captured for the caged bird trade. Of the nearly 10,000 described bird species, over 1,200 are listed as threatened or endangered by the IUCN. Some are facing seemingly hopeless battles, while others are recovering from decades of decline. The future hangs in the balance for many of our feathered friends.
The black-capped vireo is a tiny songbird that lives in the oak woodlands of Texas, Oklahoma and Northern Mexico. It has a brownish body, a black cap, red eyes and white "spectacles" formed by rings around the eyes. Once abundant, this species is now endangered due to agricultural expansion and other human activities. It is also threatened by nest parasites such as the brown-headed cowbird that invade the vireo's nest, knock out the eggs, and replace them with its own.
The brown kiwi is a stocky nocturnal bird that is native to New Zealand. A flightless bird, the brown kiwi feeds by walking slowly through the forest poking its long, slender bill — which is highly sensitive to touch — into the ground in search of worms, insects and larvae. It was once found throughout New Zealand, but is now restricted to fragmented forests and seriously threatened by non-native predators such as pigs, cats and dogs.
IUCN Status: Endangered
California condors are large vultures with bald pink heads and a 10-foot wingspan. They are among the world's largest flying birds, and they are also one of the most critically endangered. After going extinct in the wild due to hunting, habitat loss and environmental poisons, captive breeding programs have allowed for the reintroduction of a small population of California condors into the wild. There are currently populations in California, Arizona, and Baja California, Mexico. IUCN Status: Critically Endangered USFWS Status: Endangered Major Threats: Hunting, habitat loss and environmental poisons Habitat: Wooded mountains and scrublands Location: California, Arizona, and Baja California, Mexico Diet: Carrion, especially larger animals like deer, cattle and sheep CROWNED EAGLE (Harpyhaliaetus coronatus)
The crowned eagle is a mighty bird of prey with broad wings, pale gray plumage and a distinct crest on its head. It occurs throughout central South America in both forest and semi-open areas. Like many birds of prey, the crowned eagle is endangered because of habitat loss. As top predators, they are also vulnerable to toxins present in their prey animals, and are subject to harassment by humans who perceive them as a threat to farm animals. YELLOW-EARED PARROT (Ognorhynchus icterotis)
The yellow-eared parrot is critically endangered because of its extremely small range and shrinking habitat due to deforestation. It is bright green with yellow ear patches and a dark, heavy bill. This breathtakingly beautiful bird is also a popular species in the exotic pet trade. It is currently only thought to occur among the wax palms in the cloud forests of the Colombian Andes.
