Two Sociable Lapwings Vanellus gregarius, satellite tagged in Kazakhstan last summer, have flown more than 5,000 miles to central Sudan, where they have spent the winter. Satellite tagging is adding rapidly to our understanding of the distribution of this Critically Endangered species outside the breeding season. read more at Birdlife
Category: news
Fijian island beats the rat-race?
A partnership between BirdLife International and the Nagilogilo Clan of Vatuira has resulted in the successful eradication of Pacific Rats Rattus exulans from this internationally important seabird colony. Vatuira – a small island located 15 km from the coast of Fiji?s largest island Viti Levu – is an Important Bird Area (IBA) for several seabird […]
Polluted Prey Causes Wild Birds To Change Their Tune
Considerable attention has been paid to the effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals in aquatic environments, but rather less attention has been given to routes of contamination on land. A new study by researchers at Cardiff University, reveals that wild birds foraging on invertebrates contaminated with environmental pollutants, show marked changes in both brain and behaviour: […]
Seabird protection measures announced
Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton today announced a suite of measures to protect seabirds from being accidentally caught when commercial vessels are fishing. These are measures that will be put in place while longer term solutions to the problem of seabird bycatch in commercial fisheries are developed. read more at scoop nz
Sugar is not so sweet
A flourishing wetland on Kenya?s northern coast is under serious threat from plans to grow vast amounts of sugarcane, partly for biofuel production. Developers want to transform nearly 20,000 hectares of the spectacular Tana River Delta, into sugarcane plantations with other parts of the Delta earmarked for rice. read more at birdlife
BirdLife International condemns violent act against its Maltese Partner
BirdLife International strongly condemns the arson attack on Sunday February 17, on three cars belonging to BirdLife Malta volunteers. The attack completely destroyed the three vehicles. Police have informed BirdLife Malta that the incident was most probably a criminal act. BirdLife regrets the ongoing conflict about spring hunting, over which Malta has recently been taken […]
Alaska oil drilling threatens Critical biodiversity
The US Government has auctioned leases to drill for oil and gas in the Chukchi Sea off Alaska, putting at risk internationally important concentrations of seabirds, and a number of threatened bird species, including the Critically Endangered Kittlitz’s Murrelet Brachyramphus brevirostri. Audubon (BirdLife in the USA) says the Chukchi Sea is also home to one-tenth […]
Pioneering Eagle Eye Surgery Removes Cataract, Restores Vision, After Injury
Surgeons from the University of Glasgow?s Small Animal Hospital have restored the sight of a golden eagle. The bird underwent pioneering eye surgery after it flew into electricity cables badly damaging its eyesight. read more at sciencedaily
Bird Brain – or Parrot Prodigy?
His death has been reported in the New York Times; an internet condolence book has been set up in his memory. So what made Alex the parrot so special – and so controversial? Stephen Moss reports. America is in mourning. Alex, the African Grey parrot who was smarter than the average US president, has died […]
Rare tern birds face deadly rat threat on Matsu
The Year of the Rat may have started off in a bad way for Chinese Crested Terns, protected rare birds found on Matsu Island (), as they may face extinction because of a rat epidemic. But international birding associations are working together to combat the invasion to preserve these precious feathered creatures, the Taiwan Sustainable […]