Where Have All the Bobwhites Gone?

If you can't remember the last time you heard the call of a whippoorwill or northern bobwhite, there might be a reason for it ... and it doesn't involve failing memory. According to the National Audubon Society, some of North America's most common birds are showing drastic population declines due to loss of habitat and global warming.

"Common Birds in Decline," the society's new analysis, found that 20 different species of familiar wild birds have seen population drops of at least 54 percent in the past 40 years. The analysis combined sighting data from volunteer birders participating in Audubon's annual Christmas Bird Count program with statistics from the U.S. Geological Survey's annual Breeding Bird Survey.

"These are not rare or exotic birds we're talking about -- these are the birds that visit our feeders and congregate at nearby lakes and seashores and yet they are disappearing day by day," said Carol Browner, Audubon chairperson and former EPA administrator. "Their decline tells us we have serious work to do, from protecting local habitats to addressing the huge threats from global warming."

Common birds showing the greatest population drops over the past four decades include the northern bobwhite, down 82 percent; the evening grosbeak, down 78 percent; the northern pintail, down 78 percent; the greater scaup, down 75 percent; the eastern meadowlark, down 71 percent; the common tern, down 70 percent; the snow bunting, down 64 percent; the Rufous hummingbird, down 58 percent; the whippoorwill, down 57 percent; and the little blue heron, down 54 percent.

Many of the birds are suffering because of increased agriculture and development of their grassland habitats, but logging, mining, drilling, poor forestry practices and degraded water quality have also contributed, according to Audubon. However, some birds are also feeling the growing effects of global warming. For example, the greater scaup and the snow bunting, both of which breed in Alaska, are contending with melting permafrost and invasive species moving north from warmer climates. Meanwhile, the common tern, which nests on islands and forages for fish in coastal areas, is feeling the impact of rising sea levels.

"Direct habitat loss continues to be a leading cause for concern," said Greg Butcher, author of the analysis and Audubon bird conservation director. "But now we're seeing the added impact of large-scale environmental problems and policies."

Butcher added, "People who care about the birds and about human quality of life need to get involved in habitat protection at home, in pushing for better state and national protections and in making changes in their daily routines."

Audubon provides a guide to how citizens can help protect common bird populations on its Website.

National Audubon Society, "Disappearing Common Birds Send Environmental Wake-Up Call." URL: (http://www.audubon.org/news/press_releases/State_of_the_Birds_06_14_07.html)