BirdLife International is a global alliance of conservation organizations working together for the world's birds and people. NNAS members might be interested in the web-site of this organization: www.birdlife.net.

In a recent article, writer Ian Pattie from Earthwise summarized key findings from the report: “State Of The World’s Birds 2004”. Among the disturbing statistics are:
¨ One in eight of the world’s birds, or 1211 species in total, face extinction.
¨ Over 7500 sites in nearly 170 countries have been identified as important bird areas¨ Agricultural expansion and intensification threaten 50 per cent of important bird areas in Africa.

¨ Sixty-four per cent of globally threatened birds, most of them in the tropics, are threatened by unsustainable forestry.
¨ Alien invasive species threaten 67 per cent of the endangered species on oceanic islands.

The report goes on to emphasize that birds are “indicator species” that highlight the health of the broader environment. “The decline of bird populations in many parts of the world is of considerable concern, indicating a fundamental flaw in the way that we treat our environment.” ¨