News new science

Cook's Petrel © Spatuletail / Shutterstock

Latest research: petrels divided, vultures pushed...

Wed, 02/06/2021
Join us for a bite-sized round-up of advances published in our journal Bird Conservation International. This issue covers how to translocate Cook’s Petrel to its former range, how climate change will force vulture species to compete, and how the public uncovered vital data on the Yellow Cardinal.
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'Meidum Geese’ – painted plaster, the Chapel of Itet, Meidum, Egypt c. 2575–2551 BC © C K Wilkinson

Does this ancient Egyptian fresco depict an...

Mon, 31/05/2021
When ancient Egyptian artists painted strange but lifelike geese on the side a tomb 4,600 years ago, they could never have expected they would become the subject of rigorous modern scientific study. But are these geese an extinct species, or just a flight of artistic fancy? We ask the experts.
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Rice field in Sumatra, Indonesia © Nico Boersen / Pixabay

Sustainable farming & forestry could reduce...

Thu, 08/04/2021
Making timber and crop production sustainable would address some of the biggest drivers of wildlife decline. This finding comes from a new tool, STAR, that allows companies, governments and civil society to accurately measure their progress in stemming global species loss.
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Physical barriers like the US-Mexico wall could stop wildlife finding new habitats © Hillebrand Steve / USFWS

National borders threaten wildlife as climate...

Thu, 18/03/2021
As global temperature rises, species will be driven across national borders to find suitable habitat. Physical barriers like the USA-Mexico wall and fences between Russia and China aren’t the only complication. BirdLife’s Chief Scientist Dr Stuart Butchart explains how countries experiencing the greatest species loss may be in the worst position to protect nature.
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The Waved Albatross' impressive wingspan helps is roam thousands of miles © Mike's Birds

Seabirds spend nearly 40% of time beyond national...

Wed, 03/03/2021
Scientists have found that albatrosses and large petrels spend 39% of their time on the high seas – areas of ocean where no single country has jurisdiction. How can we make sure these vital habitats don’t fall through the cracks?
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The Red-legged Partridge is now Near Threatened due to over-hunting and habitat loss © Pierre Dalous

Red List 2020: seven things you might have missed

Fri, 18/12/2020
The carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas” may soon need to become one verse shorter as a European partridge is listed as Near Threatened. Meanwhile, paradise is restored for one flycatcher, proving that conservation can achieve great things. Explore these and more in our round-up of fascinating under-the-radar findings from this year’s Red List update…
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The Andean Condor is now classed as Vulnerable to extinction © reisegraf.ch / Shutterstock

Red List 2020: Andean Condor heads list of...

Mon, 14/12/2020
Poisoned, poached, persecuted – iconic raptors such as the Andean Condor, Secretarybird and Martial Eagle have moved to higher threat categories in this year’s update to the IUCN Red List, sparking fears that the crisis that brought many Asian and African vultures to the edge of extinction has spread to new continents and species.
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The European Bison has moved from Vulnerable to Near Threatened © Rafał Kowalczyk

Red List 2020: European Bison recovers amid 31...

Thu, 10/12/2020
In this year’s update to the IUCN Red List of threatened species, the recovery of the European Bison shows the true power of conservation. But with 31 extinctions announced and all of the world’s freshwater dolphin species now globally threatened, it’s never been more urgent to ramp up action.
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San Cristóbal Mockingbird © Mike's Birds

Latest research: hope for threatened island birds...

Tue, 08/12/2020
Join us for a bite-sized round-up of advances published in our journal Bird Conservation International. Highlights include a species that’s learning to live alongside humans, the positive impacts of protected areas, and the next urgent challenge…
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Black-browed Albatross © Jessica Winter

New report: birds provide hopeful message on...

Wed, 30/09/2020
You may have heard about the world’s catastrophic failure to meet global biodiversity targets. But there's hope. A new landmark report from BirdLife International uses bird conservation successes to outline recommended solutions that could help the next set of targets to succeed.
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Green Peafowl (Endangered) © Roger Smith / Flickr

Latest research: how does human disturbance...

Tue, 29/09/2020
Join us for a bite-sized round-up of advances published in our journal Bird Conservation International. Highlights include insights into how human disturbance affects the feeding, breeding and overall health of bird populations.
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The Chattering Lory, a popular pet © Alan Tunnicliffe / Shutterstock

How pet owners are key to making the parrot trade...

Fri, 14/08/2020
New research reveals the social factors driving demand for parrots in Singapore. Lead author, Anuj Jain, discusses how international trade and domestic demand interact in what he refers to as the ‘ecosystem’ of the parrot trade.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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