Birds are extraordinary creatures, not least for the fact that they’ve survived this planet for over 160 million years. As extant incarnations of the dinosaurs, today’s birds are a phenomenal example of evolution at work. Every species of bird has adapted to changes in their environment throughout time, ensuring a continuing legacy for their species. Sadly, not all these species achieve that legacy, and many species continue to become extinct from our planet. Here are some of the most endangered birds of North America.
1. California Condor
The California Condor has been an endangered species since 1967, at one time seeing its numbers drop to just 25. Since then, captive breeding programs have helped to swell the population to more than 200 birds. California condors rely on a specific type of habitat for survival. They prefer dry, desert conditions with plenty of rocky outcroppings upon which to build permanent nesting sites. The main threat to the existence of California condors is man. Loss of habitat, poisoning from pollution, collision with power lines, and poaching are all results of human encroachment on their territory.
2. Ivory-Billed Woodpecker
The ivory-billed woodpecker once lived along the southeastern coast of the US all the way down to Cuba. However, logging destroyed its habitat so extensively that the bird became extinct in the US and Cuba by 1987. However, it was re-discovered in 2004 by ornithologists working in Arkansas wildlife refuges, and announced to the public in 2005. Despite this exciting discovery, only one ivory-billed woodpecker has ever been seen at one time, emphasizing the rarity of this endangered species. Federal programs are in place to search for the existence of nests or other members, and protect any known habitat.
3. Whooping Crane
The whooping crane enjoyed a wide swath of habitat from Canada to northern Mexico until the late 1800s, when they became a popular game bird for a burgeoning population of humans in the US. Expansion of our habitat led to a crushing loss to the whooping cranes’, so much so that only 20 individuals could be found in the wild by 1941. Captive breeding of the whooping crane began in 1967. This has slowly increased their numbers to over 500, including both captive and wild populations.
4. Gunnison Sage-Grouse
Loss of habitat is threat number one to the Gunnison sage-grouse, whose sole population today can be found in Colorado, numbering about 3,500 individuals, only 500 of which are breeding adults. The Gunnison sage-grouse lives up to its name, making its livelihood among the desert scrub of the southwestern US. These lands are increasingly developed to accommodate oil and gas activities, roads, recreation, and agriculture. Without concentrated conservation efforts to recreate and preserve their habitat, their numbers continue to decline steadily.
5. Kirtland’s Warbler
Weighing only one-half ounce, the Kirtland’s warbler is a migratory songbird that nests almost exclusively in jack pine forests found in Michigan, and occasionally Ontario and Wisconsin. Ironically, human suppression of forest fires is one of the greatest threats to the Kirtland’s warbler’s existence. Heat from naturally occurring forest fires forces the jack pine seeds out of the pine cone, where they grow into new trees from the ashes. Additionally, another species of birds lays its eggs in other birds’ nests, including the Kirtland’s warbler. When the other bird eggs hatch, they out-compete the warbler chicks for food, often resulting in complete fatalities for the warblers. In 1989, their population plummeted to less than 200, but conservation efforts have since raised their numbers to at least 1,400.
This wraps up our list of the 5 endangered birds of North America. Be sure to check out our related blogs on other endangered species and the impact humans are having on their habitat.
Featured Image from Arthur Hovan/Unsplash
