Agricultural and urban habitat drive long-term bird population changes

July 25, 2018, American Ornithological Society

Land use changes are a major driver of species declines, but in addition to the habitat to which they're best adapted, many bird species use "alternative" habitats such as urban and agricultural land. A new study from The Condor: Ornithological Applications documents a century of land use change in Illinois and shows that species' long-term fate can depend on the availability and suitability of these alternative habitats.

Between 1906 and 1909, a pair of ornithologists crisscrossed the state of Illinois, creating a unique record of its avian inhabitants across grassland, forest, urban, and agricultural habitats. The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Michael Ward and his colleagues recreated this survey as closely as possible between 2006 and 2008 and used the data to create mathematical models of bird occupancy, assessing how things had changed over the course of the twentieth century. They found that birds' use of alternative habitats had changed more than their use of primary habitats: the 40 species in their analysis that expanded their occupancy did so by making more use of urban habitats, while the 26 that decreased did so because they were making less use of agricultural habitats. Urban habitats have become more bird-friendly in the past century as vegetation has matured and bird feeding has become more popular. Agriculture, on the other hand, has seen a shift from small, diversified farms to vast corn and soybean monocultures managed with heavy herbicide and pesticide use.

"We need to understand how species use and respond to changes in not only their primary habitat, but also habitats that they only use occasionally. Species that can take advantage of alternate habitats can expand their populations," says Ward. "Understanding which species can or can't take advantage of these alternative habitats will allow us to better predict which species need conservation efforts. Urban habitats are the habitats in which many species have been increasing, and the general public, by providing small bits of habitat in their backyards, have the opportunity to help a range of species." Species that have been declining, on the other hand, may rebound if agricultural practices change to become more wildlife-friendly.

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American Samoa's Manu'a bird population studied

Updated at 8:59 am on 18 November 2015

A team from American Samoa's Department of Marine and Wildlife resources is heading to the Manu'a islands to conduct a survey of the native bird population.

Ornithologist Kim Kayano, who is leading the six-person team, says studying the bird population will also give researchers an idea of the health of other organisms.

She says there is evidence that invasive bird species have forced a decline in the native population on the main island, Tutuila.

"We found that birds in Tutuila are much less abundant than the ones on Manu'a and so we're still trying to find out why that is, but human population size, urban development, as well as the presence of invasive species, we think, are factors in the less birds that are found on Tutuila."

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Urbanisation takes birds away from tricity

Aishwarya S Iyer, SAS Nagar| 

Updated: Jul 08, 2015 15:29 IST

Rampant urbanisation on the periphery of Chandigarh has resulted in various species of birds fleeing the region. The trend has been witnessed for years across the world, but this relatively newly urbanised region that once had lush green fields and trees, is now a concrete jungle with no space for the winged creatures. 

“Kharar used to have small patches of forests which have been axed to pave the way for the construction of buildings and complexes. Nowadays I see no bird at all,” says Kamaldeep Singh Tiwana, 36, who has lived in Kharar since his birth. There used to be doves and peacocks, even honeybees, butterflies, which have disappeared. We get to see birds only when we go to Kasauli and other hill stations, said Tiwana.

According to Harinder Pal Singh Jolly, vice-president, municipal council, Kharar, nothing much can be done about it. “Population is increasing so people need houses to stay. Thus urbanisation is inevitable. It is accompanied by pollution caused by vehicles. I have lived here for 12 years and witnessed 30-40% of the open land being urbanised,”Jolly added.

Zirakpur residents too are concerned over the loss of birds. Shama Sharma, 50, of Zirakpur said, “There was a time when we used to come across so many birds but now only pigeons are visible, that too rarely. There is no site of sparrows or peacocks in the region. I miss them. I am residing here for the last eight years, and have been watching rampant urbanisation of the city.”

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Murray-Darling bird population reportedly halved in the last 30 years in wake of droughts and dams

Scientists believe Murray-Darling bird numbers have more than halved in the last 30 years.

Researchers conducting an annual aerial waterbird survey have just completed their most comprehensive analysis ever of the river system.

University of New South Wales Professor Richard Kingsford is now into his 32nd year of surveying.

"We've been doing these surveys since 1983 and we've seen a 60 per cent decline in waterbird numbers since then," Professor Kingsford said.

"Largely that's due to the impacts of building dams and developing our wetland systems and taking water out of rivers so these places don't last as long."

Professor Kingsford said waterbirds were a key indicator of the health of the system.

https://au.news.yahoo.com/nsw/a/25584471/murray-darling-bird-population-reportedly-halved-in-the-last-30-years-in-wake-of-droughts-and-dams/

Where have all the birds disappeared?

14th September 2014

Rapid urbanisation taking a toll on resident and migratory bird population.

Rapid urbanisation of Mysore and the expansion of the city is taking a toll on the resident and the migratory bird population, some of which are no longer sighted in the region.

Coupled with encroachment of lakes and tanks and their gradual destruction, the bird population threatens to plummet further. Mysore plays host to nearly 180 to 200 species of birds – both resident and migratory – and some of the lakes like Lingambudi, Kukkarahalli and Karanji are recognised as important bird areas (IBA) which are significant from the conservation point of view.

However, there has been a systematic destruction of bird habitats with a human-centric approach to the development of lakes. “Lingambudhi Lake was one of the best habitats for both resident and migratory birds more than 10 years ago. But over the years, the habitat is losing its sheen for the birds,” C.S. Kulashekara, an amateur ornithologist with a passion for photographing birds.

“The lake is filled with sewage and though there are good rains and inflow into the water body this year, the relief will be temporary. In addition, civil work at Lingambudhi and Kukkarahalli disturbs the birds,” he added.

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Farmers to survey health of Dorset's bird population

10:00am Wednesday 20th November 2013 in News By Rene Gerryts

It's important to know how birds are faring

UK farmers are being asked to take a health test – not for themselves but for the country’s bird population.

The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust has just launched its ‘Big Farmland Bird Count’ which will ask all farmers and gamekeepers to take part to help determine how bird species are faring.

Jim Egan from the trust said: “Farmers and gamekeepers are vital in helping to ensure the future survival of many of our most cherished farmland bird species such as skylark, yellowhammer, corn buntings and wild grey partridges.

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With BTO study showing changing spread of UK birdlife - what’s in your garden?

The spread of Britain’s bird population has been revealed in more detail than ever before after the results of an ambitious volunteer project were released.

Using information provided by more than 40,000 volunteers from every corner of Britain and Ireland in the last four years, the British Trust for Ornithology’s (BTO) Bird Atlas 2007-11 has mapped the habits of all the UK’s birds in winter and the breeding season.

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