This weekend is World Bird Day, a date promoted by the organization BirdLife International with the aim of raising awareness in society about the current situation of these species and the need to protect their habitats.
Birds, essential for the balance of ecosystems, are going through a critical moment, and their conservation is more urgent than ever.
The decline of birds raises the alarm about the state of ecosystems.
At the international level, the report The State of the World’s Bird Conservation states that 5,245 (49%) of the 11,000 known bird species have experienced a decline in their population. It also states that one out of every eight species is in danger of extinction. At the national level, the situation is equally worrying.
According to the Red Book of Birds, 25% (90 species) of Spanish avifauna is threatened, included in categories of risk of extinction defined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
In addition, 56% of the species evaluated have conservation problems.
These data reflect the urgent need to take measures to protect species and their habitats in Spain.
Among the main threats facing birds both globally and in our country include the destruction of their habitats, pollution, intensive agriculture and, increasingly, the impact of climate change.
These factors not only affect bird populations, but also the stability of ecosystems.
Global warming is altering habitats and migratory patterns, drastically reducing the areas where birds can live, feed and reproduce.
In addition to their ecological value, birds play key roles in regulating ecosystems.
Not only do they provide essential ecosystem services, such as seed dispersal, plant pollination, and insect population control, but they also contribute to human well-being.
Birdwatching, which is becoming increasingly popular, has been shown to be beneficial for mental health, helping to reduce stress and anxiety, and improving overall well-being.
In this context, both World Bird Day and World Migratory Bird Day, which is celebrated on 12 October, remind us of the importance of protecting these species, which are vital for biodiversity and ecosystems.
In particular, in 2024 World Migratory Bird Day highlights the interdependence between migratory birds and insects.
This year, under the slogan “Protect the insects, protect the birds“, it underlines the alarming decline of both groups.
Migratory birds depend on insects as their main food source during their long journeys, so they synchronize their migrations to the abundance of these invertebrates.
However, recent studies have shown an alarming decline in insect populations.
An analysis published in the journal Science reveals that approximately 9% of the world’s insect population is lost every decade, which has a direct impact on the birds that depend on them for survival.
Among the main factors in this trend are deforestation, industrial agriculture, intensive use of pesticides, light pollution and climate change.
Within this protection framework, the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO) coordinates several key projects, such as the LIFE Marbled Teal, which aims to reverse the risk of extinction of the marbled teal, one of the seven species declared “in a critical situation” in Spain.
This project has achieved important milestones, such as the recovery of 141 hectares of wetlands and the release of almost 3,000 specimens of the species in these habitats. Also noteworthy are the recent sightings of reproduction of the species in the Region of Murcia, the Albufera of Valencia and Malaga, which represents a notable advance in its conservation.
Likewise, the LIFE INTEMARES project, also coordinated by the Foundation, focuses on improving knowledge about bird species of community interest.
Among the achievements, the monitoring of the Balearic shearwater stands out, whose surprising records include a dive of more than 37 meters deep, the highest known record for this species.
These advances are crucial for the conservation of seabirds and their natural environment.
On the other hand, the Biodiversity Foundation, through the Pleamar Programme, co-financed by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), has contributed to the implementation of different community directives related to the protection and conservation of biodiversity in the European Union (EU).
These include the Birds Directive, which aims at the long-term conservation of all European wild bird species.
Also within the framework of this programme, projects have been supported that have contributed to improving the knowledge and conservation status of 21 species of birds, some of them highly threatened such as the Cory’s shearwater (Calonectris diomedea).
The decline of birds not only affects biodiversity, but also the ecosystem services essential for our survival.
As indicators of the state of the environment, birds warn us of the deterioration of ecosystems, underlining the need for urgent action to protect them.