More Than 500 Birds Will Vanish From Earth in the Coming Century, According to a New Study

Several human activities have facilitated unprecedented changes in the environment. These changes have endangered several species on the planet. And now, a team of researchers claims the destruction is continuing, with around 500 bird species estimated to go extinct within the next century. They gathered the results through an in-depth analysis of almost 10,000 birds. If the assertion turns out to be true, then the ecosystems will be forced to contend with the absence of many vital components, that too, in a very short period. The evolved ecosystem may or may not be a favorable scenario for humans and the planet as a whole. The research was published in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution. 

Bird Extinction Crisis

One of the main reasons behind the present "Bird Extinction Crisis" is habitat loss. Increased development has led to more demands for food, space, and energy from society. To fulfill these demands, more and more bird habitats are being taken over, altered, broken apart, or significantly degraded over time. Expansion of agriculture is one of the primary ways in which these habitats are being transformed, according to The Guardian. Moreover, the lack of living space and resources is making it challenging for several bird species to sustain themselves, leading to their inevitable extinction. Other proposed factors in the study are hunting and climate breakdown. Some of the vulnerable birds, per the study, include the European turtle dove, the great bustard, the Balearic shearwater, the Itombwe owl, and the puffin. The extinction risk was calculated based on the threats each species faces to its survival. Researchers incorporated data from the IUCN Red List for the examination. They noted that large-bodied birds were more vulnerable to hunting and climate change, while birds sporting broad wings suffered due to habitat loss. 

Kerry Stewart, lead author of the research from the University of Reading, was shocked by the sheer number of birds in danger and called the crisis "unprecedented." She explained that such a situation had never been observed in recorded history, and the estimate is almost triple the actual number of birds that went extinct in the last 50 years. Professor Manuela González-Suárez, senior author of the study from the University of Reading, said, "Stopping threats is not enough. As many as 250-350 species will require complementary conservation measures…to survive the next century."

Regulating the Crisis

The first course of action would be to control habitat destruction and reduce hunting to save the concerned birds, as suggested by experts. Moreover, removing all threatening factors, like agriculture, would not be enough. The removal of dangerous human activities will help just 250 species survive in the coming century. Stewart, therefore, suggests that, with controlling human probing, authorities should organize recovery programs, like breeding projects. It implies that these birds will not recuperate naturally if just the dangerous devices are removed. Humans will need to help them to flourish again with directed measures.

Researchers are encouraging authorities to formulate and apply conservation programmes not only to save the birds but also to improve the ecosystem, according to the Daily Mail. "Prioritising conservation programmes for just 100 of the most unusual threatened birds could save 68 per cent of the variety in bird shapes and sizes," González-Suárez shared. "This approach could help to keep ecosystems healthy." 

Possible Conservation Strategies

A conservation program was formulated for the "Great Bustard" in the UK when its numbers had dwindled across the globe due to hunting, according to the Biodiversity Manifesto. After determining that the great bustard would not hurt the native bird species in England, several specimens were released in the country. The UK was chosen as a preferred site, as it was deemed to provide the right conditions required by the birds to flourish and was also speculated to contribute positively to the local ecosystem. Since its reintroduction in 2004, the great bustard has experienced a healthy increase in numbers throughout the country and has reached a stage where it is becoming self-sufficient. Such strategies can be applied to vulnerable species.

"There is no magic bullet for solving the extinction crisis," said Stuart Butchart, chief scientist at BirdLife International, who was not involved in the research. "Protected areas can play a key role while abating threats from agriculture, logging, fisheries, hunting, and other sources is essential. However, some species require targeted recovery efforts, involving interventions like captive breeding and release, translocation, or supplementary feeding, to overcome barriers to recovery." It is vital to take necessary measures, as the study is not the first to highlight bird population endangerment. A growing body of evidence suggests that birds are crucial for the maintenance of the ecosystem and need help to continue their existence on the planet. The study, 'Threat reduction must be coupled with targeted recovery programmes to conserve global bird diversity. Nat Ecol Evol (2025),' was published by authors Stewart, K., Venditti, C., Carmona, C.P. et al in Nature.com.