Climate Change Threatens Over 500 Bird Species with Extinction Within a Century, Scientists Warn

Birds on the Brink: Over 500 Species Face Extinction in the Next Century

From the bare-necked umbrellabird to the helmeted hornbill, Earth’s birds dazzle with diversity. However, a new study warns that climate change and habitat destruction could drive over 500 bird species to extinction within 100 years. Even with full protection from human threats, 250 species may still vanish, signaling an urgent need for action.

Study Highlights Crisis
Researchers from the University of Reading analyzed nearly 10,000 species using IUCN Red List data, predicting extinction risks based on threats like hunting, habitat loss, and climate impacts. Large-bodied birds, such as the great bustard, are particularly vulnerable to hunting, while broad-winged species suffer most from habitat disruption.

UK Species at Risk
Several British birds are endangered, including:

• Balearic shearwater: Only 5,800 remain.
• Great bustard: Hunted to UK extinction in the 1800s, now clinging to survival with a reintroduced population of 100.
• Atlantic puffin: Coastal colonies face threats from warming seas and overfishing.

Global Iconic Birds in Peril
Unique species worldwide are also teetering on the edge:

• Helmeted hornbill: Poached for its prized "casque," used in carvings.
• Bare-necked umbrellabird: Deforestation in Costa Rica threatens its rainforest home.
• Imperial woodpecker: Possibly extinct, last seen in Mexico’s forests decades ago.
• Yellow-bellied sunbird-asity: Madagascar’s rare bird faces habitat collapse.

Tailored Conservation Needed
“Many birds are already so threatened that reducing human impacts alone won’t save them,” warns lead author Kerry Stewart. Recovery programs—breeding initiatives, habitat restoration, and hunting bans—are critical.

Prioritizing 100 of the most unique species could preserve 68% of avian ecological diversity, according to senior author Prof. Manuela Gonzalez-Suarez. Halting habitat destruction is key, but reducing accidental deaths (e.g., from fishing nets) and hunting would protect specialized birds vital for ecosystems.

Alarming Declines in Common Birds
Even familiar species are struggling. The RSPB’s 2024 Big Garden Birdwatch revealed UK starlings at historic lows (85% decline since 1979), while adaptable species like woodpigeons surged by 1,160%.

A Call to Action
Published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, the study underscores a crossroads: proactive conservation can safeguard biodiversity and ecosystem health. As Stewart urges, “We face a bird extinction crisis unprecedented in modern times. Immediate action is non-negotiable.”

From safeguarding puffin nesting sites to restoring Central American forests, saving these birds demands global cooperation—before their songs fall silent forever.