| Bird populations of many species are in serious decline | | | | natural habitats. Accidents, such as oil and chemical |
| across the US. Recent studies report that | | | | spills, are killing birds off. People are not only destroying |
| approximately one-third of the US bird species border | | | | their own natural habitat, but also that of every living |
| on endangered or threatened status. For the most | | | | thing, including birds. |
| part, humans take the blame for the reduction in | | | | HUNTING |
| numbers, for a variety of reasons. | | | | Surprisingly, hunting is not to blame for the majority of |
| NESTING | | | | the problems in this recent discovery, though continuing |
| The biggest contributor in the population decline is the | | | | to hunt some of the affected species could be |
| loss of habitat. The building boom in the United States | | | | detrimental. Unlike past problems with species |
| in the past century has virtually destroyed the natural | | | | becoming endangered in populated areas, the |
| nesting grounds of many of the birds in question. Birds | | | | intentional killing of birds has not caused a significant |
| that are native to or migrate through highly populated | | | | reduction in the numbers. People who hunt might add |
| areas, such as coastal regions, seem to have the | | | | to the problem, but they are not the base of the issue. |
| biggest drop in population. | | | | It is certainly possible for humans and birds to coexist |
| ENVIRONMENT | | | | in the United States, but not without some serious |
| The other major factor, tying humans to the slow | | | | changes. Protecting established nesting areas and |
| extinction of birds, is the impact on the environment. Air | | | | reducing the environmental impact on natural |
| and water pollution are also placing the birds in grave | | | | resources would help to slow the decline of the birds. |
| danger. Smog, pesticides, and other environmental | | | | Everyone must take part in these efforts, for there to |
| issues are affecting the air, water and plant life that | | | | be hope for the future of the dropping numbers of |
| birds rely on for survival. Food sources are dwindling or | | | | birds. |
| contaminated. Climate change is driving them from their | | | | |