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Invasive Mammals Are Pushing Native Birds To The Brink

By on December 13, 2016 in Conservation, In the News

Cat with Bird

Cats Among Biggest Threats to Global Biodiversity

(Washington, D.C., Dec. 13, 2016) Invasive mammalian predators are killing endangered species around the world at much higher rates than previously known and are “arguably the most damaging group of alien animal species for global biodiversity,” according to a recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). The findings are the latest evidence that cats and other invasive species pose a major threat to birds and other wildlife worldwide.

Non-native mammalian predators have contributed to the extinction of 87 bird, 45 mammal, and 10 reptile species, and have helped put another 596 species at risk of extinction, according to the study by Dr. Tim S. Doherty and colleagues, most of whom are researchers affiliated with Australian universities. Chief among these predators are cats, which have negatively affected 430 species of threatened or now-extinct birds, mammals, or reptiles.

The researchers estimate that cats have contributed to the extinction of 63 species, including 40 bird species—approximately double the number of extinctions previously attributed to these non-native predators. Combined with introduced rodents, such as Norway rats, “cats are major agents of extinction, collectively being listed as causal factors in 44 percent of modern bird, mammal, and reptile species extinctions,” Doherty et al. write. Both cats and rodents negatively affect the most bird species.

“This comprehensive study confirms yet again just how dramatic an impact cats and other invasive predators are having on bird and other wildlife populations,” said Grant Sizemore, Director of Invasive Species Programs at American Bird Conservancy. “Its findings are striking evidence that the problem is even bigger than previously recognized.”

ABC remains dedicated to confronting the challenge of outdoor cats. “Cats are popular pets, and many of us at ABC have pet cats. Once introduced into the environment by people, however, these cats cause extensive negative impacts,” Sizemore said. “Native species are ill-equipped to defend against such effective predators.” Not only do these cats kill birds and other native species, they also spread diseases such as rabies and toxoplasmosis that put human and wildlife health directly at risk. “The only realistic long-term solution is to contain cats, which simultaneously protects cats, wildlife, and people,” said Sizemore.

Learn more about ABC’s commitment to combating the threat of invasive species and our campaign to keep cats indoors. A recent Q&A on ABC’s Bird Calls blog has more on why cats represent such a serious threat to our irreplaceable wildlife.

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American Bird Conservancy is the Western Hemisphere’s bird conservation specialist—the only organization with a single and steadfast commitment to achieving conservation results for native birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. With a focus on efficiency and working in partnership, we take on the toughest problems facing birds today, innovating and building on sound science to halt extinctions, protect habitats, eliminate threats, and build capacity for bird conservation.

Contact: Grant Sizemore, 202-888-7480

Second Saturday Bird Walk at Clear Creek Waste Water Treatment Plant

By on October 29, 2016 in

We visit along this stretch of the Sacramento River and its riparian forest, as well as several ponds holding tertiary-treated water. Winter resident passerines and water foul should be abundant. Assemble at the Treatment Plant’s Administration Building at the end of Metz Road at 8:00 am to meet your leader, Matt Gould. This is a ½-day trip that may end in the early afternoon if the birding is good.
Take Hwy. 273 and look for River Ranch Road after crossing Clear Creek. Cross over the Railroad tracks and turn left on Eastside Road. The entrance on Metz Road is on the right.

Something for the Canaries to Sing About

By on October 29, 2016 in BirdWords, Conservation
Rufus Hummingbird at Sunflower

As this hummingbird refuels on sunflower nectar, her heart beats over 615 times a minute, and she take 110 breaths

Fortunately for old miners, clean air may be even more immediately important to our feathered friends than it is to us.

Like us, birds are warm-blooded. That pretty much guarantees a high rate of metabolism, the routine internal processing done by a healthy body. Cold-blooded bodies generally work slowly–the heart rate of a resting one-pound snake is about 16 beats/minute—and these animals usually become inactive in cold seasons. But warm-blooded creatures burn their food to keep active even in cold weather. Their bodies must work faster. The heart rate of a one-pound crow is 345 beats/minute, five times ours and over twenty times as much as the snake’s!

Heart beats, of course, are pushing blood to every cell in the body, carrying food and, more urgently, the oxygen that can unlock food energy and keep each cell functioning. So along with their fast heartbeats, birds breathe rapidly. That puts a premium on clean air.

As birds process the air they breathe, any toxins present can take a toll. As I drive to work I create a whole cloud of trouble. Over time, ozone and nitrogen oxides can rupture blood vessels in the lungs. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons can cause DNA mutations, decrease body weight, and probably reduce egg-laying and hatching. Inhaled particulates damage lung tissue. Together, pollutants reduce red blood cells, effectively cutting the birds’ ability to process food. Further, extra carbon dioxide in the air creates climate change, altering habitats the birds need to live.

Some 20-50% of these pollutants are from vehicle emissions. Hence, the problem with me driving to work.

So what’s a person in intelligent consideration to do? One solution would be to quit work. Sometimes tempting, but fortunately there are less drastic fixes.

Not long ago it seemed reasonable to think that buying a cleaner emission car was reserved to Hollywood glitterati and Silicon Valley CEO’s. But it’s not that way now. An MIT study of ten-year costs, including purchase, fuel, and maintenance, of America’s 125 most popular vehicles showed that low-emission vehicles are often less expensive than their guzzling counterparts. Clustered at the least-expensive/least-polluting corner of the data are electric, battery-powered vehicles such as the Chevrolet Spark, Nissan Leaf, Ford Focus, Smart Fortwo, and Fiat 500E. Many of these vehicles have internal combustion versions, but with reduced fuel consumption and federal and state refunds the electric versions cost comparably or less.

And their emissions are cleaner—better already than 2030 Paris Accord goals.

Now a small car that needs recharging rather than refueling might not meet everybody’s needs. But it will meet some needs, and apparently can do so without requiring a second mortgage. The increasing options in affordable, cleaner cars may give the canaries something to sing about!

Birding Inspirations Through My Lens

By on October 26, 2016 in

Based on his newest book, The Complete Guide to Bird Photography, Jeffrey will be sharing stories of birds and Mother Nature. He adds in a few photography tips and how lying in the dirt helps to create his amazing photography. Jeff has been photographing nature since 1980 and his photos have been published in most of the nature publications including all the birding magazines. With interesting stories about birds and nature Jeff weaves an interesting tale through many of the photos that appear in his new book. His humor and love of lying in the dirt will inspire nature lovers, especially birders.

A Trip to the Amazon Basin

By on October 26, 2016 in

Our November slideshow will be of our 2 1/2 week trip to the Amazon Basin with a group of freshwater fish biologists from the Newport (Oregon) Aquarium and the New England (Boston) Aquarium. The trip was centered on the ornamental fish industry of the Amazon Basin, but our trip up the Rio Negro also included many forays into the jungle to look for birds, plants and villages. Our trip began and ended in Manaus, Brazil, going as far north as Barcelos, Brazil where we were entertained by a huge festival celebrating ornamental fish. Our photos will show the cities and villages that we visited, modes of travel and an assortment of wildlife.