Let’s rack this one up as “Not the Dandiest News for Our Avian Friends.” According to Live Science:
The populations of nearly two dozen common American birds — the fence-sitting meadowlark, the frenetic Rufous hummingbird and the whippoorwill with its haunting call — are half what they were 40 years ago, a new analysis found.
Twenty different common bird species — those with populations more than half a million and covering a wide range — have seen populations fall at least in half since 1967, according to a study by the National Audubon Society.
And why is this happening? It probaby won’t come as a shock:
Many of the species in decline depend on open grassy habitats that are disappearing because of suburban sprawl. Climate change and invasive species are to blame, too.
But why is this so significant? Birds are central to the homeostasis of our ecosystems. They do all of the following and more:
- Spread the seeds of trees and grasses.
- Pollinate flowers.
- Eat dead animals, essentially cleaning the land.
- Gobble insects.
- Keep down the populations of mice, rabbits, and squirrels.
But aren’t they even more than that? They sing — what better way to wake in the morning? They’re gorgeous in flight, defying the laws of the landlocked, increasing the overall beauty of our already beautiful world. So we owe it to the birds, to the rest of the natural world, and to ourselves, to do something about this problem.
On three previous Wednesdays, we shared ways in which we can all be better stewards of the environment and help reduce our carbon footprints on the earth (see “Saving the Planet from the Comfort of Our Homes,”The Grandeur of Earth Day,” and “I See Trees of Green“). As for suburban sprawl? Well, if you’re thinking of moving, consider buying instead of building, consider moving closer to your job in the city instead of further away. But back to the birds…. Here are three simple actions we can all take:
Add plants native to your area that help common birds. The National Audubon Society has specific suggestions depending on where you live (just click right here).
Change your light bulbs. You read that right. Since global climate change is hurting common birds, just change your regular incandescent light bulbs and replace each of them with a compact florescent light bulb.
Sign this electronic letter to your Senators and Representatives to restore the protections of the Clean Water Act to include wetlands (just click right here). Please consider personalizing the letter a bit as these tend to work a bit better.
Let’s end a bit of interesting wisdom from aviator Charles Lindbergh, shortly before his death: “I realized that if I had to choose, I would rather have birds than airplanes.”
