News new science

The Imperial Amazon was classed as Critically Endangered - partly due to Hurricane Maria © HBW

A look back at some of the biggest bird...

Tue, 24/03/2020
A lot can happen in a year. Browse some of the most important advances in bird conservation science that happened over 2019: part of the yearly update to our flagship publication, State of the World’s Birds.
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Worldwide
Eurasian Spoonbill © Ondrej Prosicky / Shutterstock

Why it’s important to love birds for more than...

Tue, 17/03/2020
We all know what our favourite bird looks like – but do you know why it’s evolved to look that way? Discover the amazing new project striving to build a stronger connection between people and nature – through the fascination of bird anatomy.
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WorldwideNetherlands
The Blue-throated Macaw is bouncing back from the brink of extinction thanks to a special reserve in Bolivia © Asociacion Armonia

New study: conservation action has reduced bird...

Tue, 07/01/2020
We’ve all heard of species brought back from the brink of extinction, but have you ever wondered how impactful conservation actually is? A new study shows that global conservation action has reduced the effective extinction rate of birds by an astonishing 40%. But is it all good news?
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Worldwide
Guam Rail © Andersen Air Force

Red List 2019: Guam Rail second bird to recover...

Tue, 10/12/2019
This year’s update to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species brings with it some fantastic conservation successes, including an almost unheard of incidence of a bird species coming back from extinction in the wild. But for other species, human threats are making it harder to stage a comeback.
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WorldwideBrazilGuamMauritius
Northern Cardinals © Steven Russell Smith Ohio / Shutterstock

How one man changed a Christmas tradition forever...

Fri, 29/11/2019
How did a continent go from shooting birds every Christmas to counting them? Discover the Audubon Christmas Bird Count – a holiday tradition that has transformed bird science.
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WorldwideCanadaUnited States of America

Is gaining over 1000 new bird species a problem...

Fri, 15/11/2019
Recent findings have shown that many birds formerly classified as one single species are actually separate species in their own right. But what do these >1,000 new species mean for bird conservation? BirdLife’s Ashley Simkins explains his new study.
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Worldwide
Insuring habitats like this Mesoamerican reef may become common in the future © Nick Mustoe

New study scans the horizon for future...

Mon, 10/06/2019
Our Chief Scientist Stuart Butchart explains a “horizon scan” of emerging conservation issues that may have big impacts in the future.
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Worldwide
Half a billion tweets are sent every day © Pixabay.com

Could social media help us save some of the world...

Thu, 23/05/2019
A ground-breaking new study analyses social media posts from visitors to key sites for nature across the world, providing insight into which sites are most popular, and highlighting opportunities and challenges for conserving them.
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Worldwide
Spot the difference: the Steppe Whimbrel is identified by its white underwings © Callan Cohen & Gary Allport

Migration route of secretive Steppe Whimbrel...

Mon, 29/04/2019
The Steppe Whimbrel is the rarest and least understood member of the highly threatened Numeniini tribe (curlews and godwits). But considering they were believed to be extinct 25 years ago, it’s unsurprising that we know so little about them. A newly published report is beginning to fill in the gaps in our knowledge.
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WorldwideMozambique
The Adelie Penguin was one of five species studied © Jane Younger

Which penguin species will be hardest hit by...

Tue, 11/12/2018
As ice caps melt and sea levels rise, the survival of penguins will depend on their ability to adapt and relocate to new habitats. Now, a new genetic study reveals that some species may be better at adjusting than others.
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WorldwideFalkland Islands / Malvinas
The araripe Manakin (Critically Endangered) can be found at only one site in Brazil © Ciro Albano

Nearly half of endangered species’ last refuges...

Tue, 13/11/2018
The Alliance for Zero Extinction has mapped 1,483 highly threatened species that are found only at a single site. But this major new assessment highlights the urgent need for better protection of these irreplaceable places.
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WorldwideBrazilColombiaPortugal

This month in science: albatross disease risk,...

Mon, 02/07/2018
We present the highlights of the latest issue of Bird Conservation International, our quarterly peer-reviewed journal promoting worldwide research and action for the conservation of birds and their habitats.
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WorldwideDenmarkSouth Korea
The iconic sight of an Atlantic Puffin loading its beak with fish may soon be a thing of the past © Pixabay

7 birds you won’t believe are threatened with...

Wed, 25/04/2018
It’s a worrying trend: even birds that were once considered common and widespread are now plummeting towards extinction. Some of the species on this list will shock you.
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Worldwide
Celebrating the discovery at Middlepunt Wetland, South Africa © Niall Perrins

Rewrite the bird books: new breeding site found...

Sat, 17/02/2018
The White-winged Flufftail (Critically Endangered) has just been confirmed to be breeding in South Africa – not only Ethiopia as previously thought – thanks to a discovery by BirdLife South Africa’s hidden camera traps. This sheds new light on the bird’s conservation.
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WorldwideEthiopiaSouth Africa
L’équipe était abasourdie © Niall Perrins

Une nouvelle aire de reproduction a été...

Sat, 17/02/2018
Grâce à une découverte au moyen des pièges photographiques de BirdLife Afrique du sud, il a juste été confirmé que le Râle à miroir (gravement menacé d’extinction) se reproduit en Afrique du sud et pas seulement en Éthiopie comme on le croyait auparavant.
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AfricaEthiopiaSouth Africa
The Helmeted Hornbill (Critically Endangered) is one of innumerable bird species that will benefit from the Program © Bjorn Olesen

Satellite tracking app empowers communities to...

Mon, 22/01/2018
This year we’re launching an innovative new programme using satellite technology and a mobile phone app to help locals monitor their forests. The Asia-Pacific Forest Governance Project, led by BirdLife and funded by the European Union, aims to involve the community in conservation and policy-making
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WorldwideIndonesiaMalaysiaPapua New GuineaPhilippines
The Indian Vulture is one of three vulture species reassessed in a new paper released today © Sudipto Roy

New study: India may have even fewer vultures...

Tue, 19/12/2017
India’s Critically Endangered vulture populations seemed to be stabilising, but a new study reveals that numbers may be fewer than we thought. Although vulture-killing livestock drug diclofenac has been banned, other drugs, equally fatal to vultures, have not. This is thought to be the main cause.
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WorldwideIndia
Vatuvara's terrain makes access difficult, let alone agriculture © Steve Cranwell

Exploring the untouched island of Vatuvara

Wed, 22/11/2017
This is the first time a full biological survey has ever been performed on this remote, almost untouched island in the South Pacific. The intriguing and fascinating results have redoubled the Vatuvara Foundation’s efforts to safeguard this lush wildlife haven.
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WorldwideFiji