State of the world's birds

The most threatened bird species often require direct species-specific interventions in order to save them from extinction and improve their status. BirdLife International’s recently launched Preventing Extinctions Programme aims to identify and appoint Species Guardians for Critically Endangered species. These are the organisations or individuals who are best placed to implement the priority actions for threatened species. Examples include: Nature Seychelles (BirdLife in the Seychelles), Species Guardian for Seychelles Paradise-flycatcher, and who are planning to translocate individuals to additional predator-free islands in order to establish additional populations; Sociedade Portuguesa Para o Estudo Das Aves (SPEA: BirdLife in Portugal), the Guardian for Azores Bullfinch, and who are clearing alien invasive plant species to improve the habitat for the species (among other activities); and Pronatura Noroeste (BirdLife in Mexico), the Guardian for Belding’s Yellowthroat, and who are developing and implementing a Species Action Plan to identify and coordinate the priority actions for the species. The Preventing Extinctions Programme is also recruiting Species Champions: companies, institutions and individuals to provide the funds to support the work of Species Guardians.