Smithfield, Rhode Island (WPRI) — Bird populations across the Maritime States are declining, according to the Audubon Society of Rhode Island.
In a recently released State of Our Birds report, the Audubon Society identified nine species that it plans to track over the next few years.
These species include chimney swifts, swallows, whitethroats, warblers, eastern spruces, wood thrushes, black and white warblers, scarlet tanagers, and red-winged blackbirds.
The Audubon Society attributes the population decline to population growth, loss of natural habitat, declining prey numbers, and climate change.
Overall, the report Birds breeding on Audubon Society wildlife sanctuaries are experiencing long-term population declines.
“We need birds more than they need us,” said Dr. Charles Clarkson, Director of Ornithological Studies at Audubon. “We are slowly losing them out of the fabric of our existence.”
According to the report, the nine bird species are called “responsible birds.”
“Conservation is a long process,” said Clarkson. “We can’t stop the decline overnight, but we need to get the message out now.”
“The hope is that the more people realize the loss of our birds, the more we can act together,” he added. can make a difference.”
The Audubon Society will release another report on migratory species in May.
