News from BirdLife International
07-05-2010
Migratory birds in crisis
This coming weekend, thousands of people are attending World Migratory Bird Day events which highlight migratory birds in crisis. BirdLife Partners around the world are celebrating bird migration, whilst also stressing the plight of some the world's most threatened species.
World Migratory Bird Day is a global initiative to raise awareness for the need to conserve all migratory birds. Events range from bird festivals, education programmes and birdwatching trips to watch bird migration in action.
Every year it focuses on a different topic. This year's theme 'Save migratory birds in crisis - every species counts!' - is raising awareness about Globally Threatened migratory birds, with a particular focus on those on the very edge of extinction - the Critically Endangered.
Around 11% of migratory birds are Globally Threatened or Near Threatened according to BirdLife on behalf of the IUCN Red List. Of these, 31 are classified as Critically Endangered. Examples include, Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus in Europe, Sociable Lapwing Vanellus gregarius in the Middle East and Africa, Chinese Crested Tern Sterna bernsteini in Asia, Orange-bellied Parrot Neophema chrysogaster in the Pacific, and Kittlitz's Murrelet Brachyramphus brevirostris in the Americas.
BirdLife Partners around the world know the value of migratory birds, and are best placed to help. We operate in over one hundred countries and territories worldwide, and work together to raise awareness about migratory birds and implement conservation projects.
http://www.birdlife.org/news/new ... irds-in-crisis.html
