8 Bird Species Have Confirmed Extinct This Decade

The growing wave of extinctions sweeping across the globe is mainly due to habitat loss and degradation from unsustainable agriculture and logging. For example, in the Amazon, where many of these species were once in abundance, deforestation is a huge concern.

The World Wildfire Fund has estimated that more than 17 million hectares of forest were lost between 2001 and 2012. This is something that cannot be ignored. If more than 40 percent of the region is deforested, the ecosystem will be damaged irreversibly. As soon as a specific tree or a specific prey is gone, the bird will be gone too.

BirdLife International has achieved an 8-years study where they’ve analyzed 51 critically endangered bird species. Eight of them are extinct or very close to extinction if not already gone.

Spix’s Macaw

If you’ve ever watched Rio in 2011, you already know the famous blue bird. Yes, the parrot that arrives in Brazil to mate with the last-known wild member of his species. The female named Jewel. However, in reality, the story is less nerve-wretching and rather sad. If the story was based on reality, Rio would have been a decade too late.

According to a study, the last wild Spix’s Macaw has disappeared in 2000 and the species is now presumed extinct in the wild. Apart from a handful of specimens that are born and raised in captivity. That saddens us much more. A bird as beautiful and special like this should be let free and wild. Not kept in a cage.

Cryptic Treehunter 3

The Cichlocolaptes Mazarbarnetti was seen in the humid forest habitat in north-east Brazil. Murici in Alagoas and Frei Caneca in Pernambuco. Although it was broadly described in 2014, it was last officially seen in 2007. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has named this species extinct. The reason why this bird has become extinct is due to the fact that too much deforestation has occurred. Due to the fact that their favorite trees have disappeared so did the birds.

Unfortunately the broad description of it in 2014 hasn’t been backed up by facts. Just because someone believed that they’ve seen this beautiful bird doesn’t mean that they are still in the wild. Unfortunately, they are gone for more than a decade.

Poo-uli

This is another bird that is facing eviction due to the fact of deforestation. Even though it only lived on one island, Maui in Hawaii, it has not been seen since 2004. In addition to this, its breed in the captivity has been unsuccessful.

Alagaos Foliage-gleaner

The native Brazilian bird became extinct in 2011 due to heavy deforestation. There was a gleam of hope when it was seen in north-eastern Brazil in 2002. However, it hasn’t been seen since 2007. In fact, the small patch of forest that it was seen, it has been cut down and replaced with sugar cane plantations.

The List Goes On

Even though those birds is the most saddening, there are other bird that made the list. Arguably, due to the fact that they are no longer among us, it has been highlighted that the limited conservation resources should be directed towards the ones that remain. No more money should be spent on searching for the species that are gone. The following species are reportedly gone forever:

• Anodorhynchus Glaucus
• Pernambuco Pygmy Owl
• Javan Lapwing
• New Caledonian Lorikeet

What Can You Do

If you want to take care of our ecosystem, there are certain things that you need to do. We need to become less selfish and think about everything that we are losing through the species extinction. Your grandchildren will never see the beauty of some of these birds. Solely due to our actions, they are becoming extinct. You should do the following:

• Recycle – You should recycle as much waste as you can and reduce the amount of waste you produce. Have separate bins in your home and label them for plastic, paper, and aluminium
• Squirrel Proof Bird Feeders – These will stop squirrels from stealing food from the birds. If you want to feed the squirrel too, you should make them a special place somewhere else. Not in the same place
• Buy local foods – Purchase from your local farmers that grow the food organically. It’s very unlikely that they contribute to deforestation
• Restore habitat – If you think your garden is dull and it needs life, you should turn it into a mini-wildfire sanctuary. You can get help through the National Wildlife Federation
• Donate to conservation efforts – If you’re already donating you should prioritize your charitable giving and support conservation efforts