Dr. Leon Bennun Director of Science, Information and Policy Birdlife International

Why bother about birds? Nature underpins our lives, and birds are a wonderful window on nature. But bird numbers are declining around the globe. Protecting nature is affordable, and represents a sound investment. In the future, the costs will be far greater. Bird conservation makes economic sense… and it works. The status of the world’s birds is declining BirdLife International World Congress Partnerships for Nature and People Ottawa Canada June 19-22 2013 State of the World’s Birds www.birdlife.org/datazone/sowb

Birds help us understand the natural world We know more about birds than any other wildlife group. Their decline reflects a deteriorating global environment, affecting all life – including people. Birds are an accurate and easy-to-read environmental barometer that lets us monitor the pressures we put on the world’s biodiversity. The map shows the density of bird species across the world Birds are excellent indicators and a popular window on the world BirdLife International World Congress Partnerships for Nature and People Ottawa Canada June 19-22 2013 State of the World’s Birds www.birdlife.org/datazone/sowb

Many bird species, including common ones, are declining In Europe, data over 30 years show that common birds are also in decline. Some groups – such as those found on farmland – are declining faster than others. European Turtle-dove example as a species at threat throughout its annual life cycle/ Many governments now use common bird trends to track environmental sustainability BirdLife International World Congress Partnerships for Nature and People Ottawa Canada June 19-22 2013 State of the World’s Birds www.birdlife.org/datazone/sowb

Many bird species are at risk of extinction Near Threatened 880 (9%) Threatened 1,313 (13%) Least Concern 7,677 (77%) Vulnerable 727 (55%) Data Deficient 60 (1%) Critically Endangered 197 (15%) Example of CR species, Philippine Eagle – threats it faces Endangered 389 (30%) 197 bird species are classified as Critically Endangered, the highest threat level One in eight bird species is threatened with extinction BirdLife International World Congress Partnerships for Nature and People Ottawa Canada June 19-22 2013 State of the World’s Birds www.birdlife.org/datazone/sowb

The status of the world’s birds is deteriorating Cue example of Tristan Albatross The UN now uses BirdLife’s Red List Index to monitor sustainability Birds are declining, but some groups such as seabirds are deteriorating faster than others. BirdLife International World Congress Partnerships for Nature and People Ottawa Canada June 19-22 2013 State of the World’s Birds www.birdlife.org/datazone/sowb

A range of threats is driving declines in globally threatened birds The two biggest threats are agriculture and logging, example here of deforestation in Sumatra, Indonesia for palm oil Unsustainable agricultural practices are the greatest threat to bird species BirdLife International World Congress Partnerships for Nature and People Ottawa Canada June 19-22 2013 State of the World’s Birds www.birdlife.org/datazone/sowb

Dr. Stuart Butchart Head of Science Birdlife International

Some sites are particularly important for birds and other wildlife We know where the most important nature sites are. We call these Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas – IBAs for short. BirdLife has identified more than 12,000 IBAs on land and at sea BirdLife International World Congress Partnerships for Nature and People Ottawa Canada June 19-22 2013 State of the World’s Birds www.birdlife.org/datazone/sowb

Many IBAs are in an unfavourable state— “IBAs in Danger” The BirdLife Partnership identified over 300 IBAs worldwide that need effective protection and management. IBA monitoring by BirdLife Partners has helped to identify IBAs in Danger BirdLife International World Congress Partnerships for Nature and People Ottawa Canada June 19-22 2013 State of the World’s Birds www.birdlife.org/datazone/sowb

IBAs guide protection in the oceans IBAs affect how we manage marine resources such as fish stocks Marine IBAs have been instrumental in identifying Protected Areas in the oceans BirdLife International World Congress Partnerships for Nature and People Ottawa Canada June 19-22 2013 State of the World’s Birds www.birdlife.org/datazone/sowb

What will it cost to save nature and protect it? How much will it cost: To save all threatened species from extinction? To protect and manage key sites like Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas? BirdLife data show that US$80 billion per year is needed for global nature protection BirdLife International World Congress Partnerships for Nature and People Ottawa Canada June 19-22 2013 State of the World’s Birds www.birdlife.org/datazone/sowb

Investing in conservation is essential… and affordable The key figure is the comparison to the annual figure on soft drinks spending! This expense an investment ,not a bill. The alternative will be far more costly BirdLife International World Congress Partnerships for Nature and People Ottawa Canada June 19-22 2013 State of the World’s Birds www.birdlife.org/datazone/sowb

BirdLife Partners are implementing effective solutions North American example of Californian Condor BirdLife Partners have taken action for over 537 threatened species (40%), since 2008 BirdLife International World Congress Partnerships for Nature and People Ottawa Canada June 19-22 2013 State of the World’s Birds www.birdlife.org/datazone/sowb

Species can be saved from extinction Habitat restoration and the removal of invasive plant species by the BirdLife Partner in Portugal has helped save the Azores Bullfinch from extinction. In Brazil, the BirdLife Partner and others have successfully lobbied for a new state park to safeguard the future of the Restinga Antwren Over ten years, action by BirdLife Partners and others prevented the extinction of 16 bird species BirdLife International World Congress Partnerships for Nature and People Ottawa Canada June 19-22 2013 State of the World’s Birds www.birdlife.org/datazone/sowb

Citizen Science: Working Together on the State of Canada’s Birds Jon McCracken Director of National Programs, Bird Studies Canada Co-chair, Birds Specialist Subcommittee (Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada)

Report Overview www.stateofcanadasbirds.org Canada’s first comprehensive report on the health of bird populations What can changes in bird populations tell us about our environment? How is human activity affecting bird populations? www.stateofcanadasbirds.org

Changes in Canada’s Birds On average Canadian bird populations have declined by 12%  Some groups of species doing well (33% of species)  Other groups of species declining (44% of species)

Canada’s Species at Risk 70 bird species in Canada face some risk of extinction or extirpation Four others are already Extinct or Extirpated. Canada Warbler (Threatened) 85% of Canadians say laws protecting species at risk are crucial to the diversity and abundance of wildlife, the Canadian economy, and Canadians’ health. – Ipsos Reid poll (December 2012)

Birds of Prey are recovering Raptors (hawks, eagles, falcons) 70% average increase Populations of many species had crashed by the 1960s, largely as a result of pesticides such as DDT Banning of DDT has allowed many species to recover -- and made the environment healthier for people Bald Eagle Peregrine Falcon 22

Waterfowl are doing well Waterfowl (ducks, geese, swans) – 45% average increase since 1970 Reflects success of conservation and management actions Effective regulation of hunting began in 1917, spurred by dramatic declines in populations of many species because of intense commercial exploitation Investment in wetland habitat conservation has been key since then

Aerial Insectivores in decline Aerial Insectivores (birds that catch insects in flight, such as swallows, swifts and flycatchers) – 64% decline Causes uncertain: changes in insect populations? loss of habitat? climate change? JM Barn Swallow Common Nighthawk Olive-sided Flycatcher

Grassland birds in trouble  Grassland birds - 45% decline Some species have declined more than 90% Loss of breeding and winter habitat Conversion of native grassland Agricultural intensification – replacing pasture with grain McCown’s Longspur Eastern Meadowlark Bobolink 25

Citizen Science is Key An army of thousands of talented volunteer birders help monitor Canada’s bird populations through a variety of programs: Christmas Bird Count Breeding Bird Survey Project FeederWatch Migration Monitoring eBird Canada Breeding Bird Atlases There are many opportunities. Learn more at: www.birdscanada.org/volunteer 26

Manager of Bird Conservation Programs, Nature Canada International Conservation: Opportunities for Action Ted Cheskey Manager of Bird Conservation Programs, Nature Canada Author of over 20 bird conservation plans Steering committee member and co-author of State of Canada’s Birds 35 years in bird monitoring and conservation

Where do “our” birds go? 4 in 5 “Canadian” bird species spend much of their lives beyond our borders. Amongst the groups of species that are declining, in general the ones that migrate further from Canada are suffering the steepest declines. This includes several species of the three groups highlighted earlier, aerial insectivores, shorebirds and grassland birds. 28

Further = Worse off Migrant Decline USA  5% Central America and Caribbean  15% South America  60% Year-round Residents Increase Canada (year-round residents)  50% Olive-sided Flycatcher Olive-sided Flycatcher Wood Thrush Arctic Tern 29

Disappearing shorebirds Shorebirds (sandpipers, plovers) 42% decline overall Largest declines for Arctic-nesting species (>60%) Amazing migrations Dependency on stop-over sites Susceptibility to disturbance Unknown contribution of climate change Panama Bay Whimbrel 30

Story of the Rufa Red Knot James Bay, Canada Migrates from Canadian Arctic to Tierra del Fuego (30,000 km round trip) annually Depends upon key stop-overs to refuel including James Bay, Gulf of St. Lawrence, Delaware Bay USA, north east and south east Brazil, and Tierra de Fuego Chile/Argentina. Moon Bird Delaware Bay, USA Bahia Lomas, Chile Arrives skinny and hungry Leaves plump and healthy 31

Important Bird Areas: a site-based solution 32

Important Bird Areas: Priorities for conservation 2/3 IBAs in Canada are not formally protected IBA networks throughout the Americas benefit our species Canadians (government/NGOs/ business, individuals) need to invest conservation efforts abroad 2 views of Panama Bay, Matt Jeffries 33

Address working landscape: International Cooperation protects grassland birds Declining grassland birds Habitat loss is biggest challenge throughout range Pesticides also impacting species Upland Sandpiper Bobolink Alliance for the Grasslands Cooperation to conserve grasslands in pampas of South America Conserve traditional economy Promote “certified” beef Restore grassland bird populations Apply similar strategies to breeding grounds in Canada and USA 34

A path forward We know the priorities for conservation research and action We know the solutions: Investment in Partnerships Protect IBAs Flyways approach for key species Respect and support traditional economies Focus research where needed Apply precautionary principle So . . . Let’s do it! 35

Questions?

Thank You! For more information on BirdLife International: For images or copies of the report: Ami Kingdon SMCC Ami.kingdon@sciencemedia.ca 613-878-8279 Vincent Allaire SMCC Media Officer (français) 514-887-8279 Vincent.allaire@sciencemedia.ca To coordinate interviews with panelists: Elaine Secord Bird Studies Canada 519-586-7251 esecord@birdscanada.org For more information on BirdLife International: Martin Fowlie BirdLife International martin.fowlie@birdlife.org