10 Birds at Risk for Extinction

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By Nancy Barber, Mom.com

Grey Parrot

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There are many different kinds of birds in the world, and some of them are facing higher levels of potential extinction than ever before. Grey parrots are an example of one such bird that is too popular for its own good. The grey parrot's intelligence and ability to mimic human voices have made them a popular choice for a pet. However, the high level of interest has led to illegal international trade of these birds. They are taken by the thousands to satisfy people’s desires to have them in their homes.

Galapagos Penguin

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Galapagos penguins are the only penguins found north of the equator. The population of these tiny penguins is less than 2,000. Their numbers have been declining, mainly due to pollution and climate change. These penguins do not adapt well when their environment is altered, and efforts to help with breeding have been unsuccessful.

Giant Ibis

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The Giant Ibis is a large bird that has greatly suffered in its population numbers. The species' environment has been devastated by deforestation and droughts. They are being hunted in droves and are not able to bounce back with reproduction.

Atlantic Puffin

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The Atlantic puffin population is still in the millions, but fewer birds survive every year. This is due to a lack of food as a result of overfishing. Even though the puffins’ numbers stand strong, their prey’s population numbers do not. Puffins also suffer from pollution, such as oil spills, in their habitats.

Siberian Crane

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Siberian cranes are very large birds with a bright red coloring that covers their faces. They are the most threatened crane species in the world and dwell mainly in wetlands. Those wetlands shrink more and more every year with constant expansion of human populations. The cranes have a hard time finding land to support their needs and, thus, are on the brink of extinction.

  

European Turtle Dove

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Although they’re referred to as European, these turtle doves migrate to Central Asia and parts of the Middle East. They are extremely recognizable and are even featured in the song “Twelve Days of Christmas.” Their population is rapidly declining in Europe, due mainly to loss of habitat and increased levels of hunting. 

Shoebill

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Shoebills number less than 8,000 for their total population. Habitat destruction, pollution, nest disturbance have all played a role in endangering these birds. They are also hunted uncontrollably across all nine countries where they are found in Africa.

Philippine Eagle

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Philippine eagles are faced with numerous challenges that threaten their existence. Commercial timber industries continue to infringe on the eagles’ habitats. They are also losing their habitats to expanded agricultural fields and mining operations. These factors combined with unregulated hunting have made these eagles an endangered species.

Snowy Owl

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For the first time, snowy owls have been classed as a “vulnerable” species. Instantly recognizable with all-white feathers and a piercing, cat-like stare, snowy owls are being illegally hunted toward extinction. Climate change also plays a role in the snowy owls’ environment. The increased amounts of snow that melt every year change how they hunt, often leaving them without a reliable food source.

Vulture

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While often reviled for their strange appearance, vultures continue the circle of life by feeding on animal carcasses. They are found all around the world but have been massively wiped out in some countries due to human involvement. Vultures were inadvertently poisoned when livestock was injected with a veterinary drug called diclofenac. Used as a painkiller for livestock, the drug was deadly to the vultures who eventually fed off their dead bodies.