Endangered Species – Birds – Part One

Crested Honeycreeper (Palmeria dolei)

Status: Critically endangered (IUCN), Endangered (ESA)



Image source

The crested honeycreeper, called the ’akohekohe in Hawaiian, is a small songbird that were once common on the Hawaiian islands of Molokai and Maui. It has been extinct on Molokai since 1907. On Maui, it is confined to a narrow area of upland rain forest. Its population decline is attributable to the introduction of non-native plants that outgrew plants that it normally feeds on, and animals that grazed on the bird’s food sources. Large areas of its forest habitat have also been cleared to create farms and other human settlements.

Chatham Islands Robin (Petroica traversi)

Status: Endangered (IUCN, ESA)



Image source

Native to the Chatham Islands off the east coast of New Zealand, the Chatham Island robin or black robin was virtually saved from extinction and is one of the most tremendous success stories in conservation. In 1980, there were only 5 birds left to represent the entire species, including one remaining fertile female. Through the remarkable efforts of a group of scientists from the Wildlife Service, the birds were moved to Mangere Island, where their population increased to 259 in 15 years.

Short-tailed Albatross (Diomedea albatrus)

Status: Vulnerable (IUCN), Endangered (ESA)



Image source

Short-tailed albatrosses are ocean birds that mate and nest only on the volcanic island of Torishima, one of the Izu Islands south of Tokyo, Japan. Once common, it was brought perilously close to extinction by hunters looking to collect its feathers, but with protection has recently made a recovery. By expertly using the winds and air currents, the short–tailed albatross can fly for long periods of time without flapping their wings and can remain in flight for as long as five years without landing.

Abbott’s Booby (Papasula abbotti)

Status: Endangered (IUCN, ESA)



Image source

The Abbott’s booby now nests only in emergent trees in the rainforests on Christmas Island, Indian Ocean, although formerly it bred on other Indian Ocean islands. Its population is estimated to be about 3,000, but declining. Much of their breeding habitats were deforested to make way for phosphate underground mining in the 1960s and 1970s. Other threats to the bird’s survival include cyclones, overfishing, marine pollution, and yellow crazy ants, which are known for their invasive behavior and destructive ecological effects.

Andean Flamingo (Phoenicoparrus andinus)

Status: Vulnerable (IUCN)



Image source

Andean flamingos are elegant migratory birds native to the wetlands of the high Andes mountain range of South American countries of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Peru. Unnatural changes to their habitat were brought by foreign mining excavations set up near flamingo breeding grounds, disrupting the nesting process and causing pollution that decreases reproductive success rates. In addition, they are illegally trapped and their eggs stolen by local organized group for export to Europe, United States and other oversea destinations.

Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi)

Status: Critically endangered (IUCN), Endangered (ESA)



Image source

The Philippine eagle, also called monkey-eating eagle, is found on the Philippine islands of Luzon, Samar, Leyte and Mindanao. It is one of the world’s rarest and most endangered birds of prey; its current population is estimated to be fewer than 500. Its primary habitat, the rainforest, is threatened by deforestation at an alarmingly high rate through logging and mining. Pollution, poaching, and exposure to pesticides that affect breeding are also major threats. Killing this bird is punishable under Philippine law by 12 years in jail and heavy fines.


scienceray