Case studies (State of the world's birds)

© Bas van Balen

Since the year 1500, we have lost over 150 bird species – an extinction rate far higher than the natural background. Today, one in eight bird species is threatened with global extinction, with 189 species Critically Endangered, and Red List assessments show that things are getting worse. Particularly alarming are sharp declines in many formerly common and widespread species. This is a signal of wider environmental problems, and of the erosion of biodiversity as a whole.

Numerous bird species have been driven extinct
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Many bird species are close to extinction
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Bird species are becoming more threatened
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Many common bird species are declining
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