Green Daily

The Department of the Interior released a report that indicated of the 800 species of birds in the U.S., close to 300 are endangered, threatened or declining in population.

Habitat loss, climate change and invasive species are a few of the causes cited, and house cats aren't blameless either. Urban sprawl is a huge part of the problem according to ornthologists. Rusty blackbirds, Laysan ducks, Hawaii goose and California condor are all in grave danger of extinction. Only 30 Hawaii goose may remain.

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar said the figures are alarming. He says birds are a bell weather for the environment. "From shorebirds in New England to warblers in Michigan to songbirds in Hawaii, we are seeing disturbing downward population trends that should set off environmental alarm bells. We must work together now to ensure we never hear the deafening silence in our forests, fields and backyards."

The study is called The U.S. State of the Birds, and it brings together data from three separate bird counts involving citizens and professionals. At the link you can find a more complete list of endangered and threatened birds as well as other details on recovery.

The only good news in the report is what habitat restoration has done for waterfowl. the creatures aren't fully recovered, but pelicans, herons, egrets, osprey, and ducks are all on the rise, as are the bald and golden eagles.

Salazar and other nature organization leaders called for an increased partnership on habitat restoration and bird protection.