Dr. Leon Bennun Director of Science, Information and Policy Birdlife International

3. Dr. Leon Bennun Director of Science, Information and Policy Birdlife International

4. Why bother about birds? Nature underpins our lives, and birds are a wonderful window on nature. But bird numbers are declining around the globe. Protecting nature is affordable, and represents a sound investment. In the future, the costs will be far greater. Bird conservation makes economic sense… and it works. The status of the world’s birds is declining Ottawa Canada June 19-22 2013 State of the World’s Birds www.birdlife.org/datazone/sowb BirdLife International World Congress Partnerships for Nature and People

5. Birds help us understand the natural world We know more about birds than any other wildlife group. Their decline reflects a deteriorating global environment, affecting all life – including people. Birds are an accurate and easy-to-read environmental barometer that lets us monitor the pressures we put on the world’s biodiversity. Birds are excellent indicators and a popular window on the world Ottawa Canada June 19-22 2013 State of the World’s Birds www.birdlife.org/datazone/sowb BirdLife International World Congress Partnerships for Nature and People

6. Many bird species, including common ones, are declining In Europe, data over 30 years show that common birds are also in decline. Some groups – such as those found on farmland – are declining faster than others. Many governments now use common bird trends to track environmental sustainability Ottawa Canada June 19-22 2013 State of the World’s Birds www.birdlife.org/datazone/sowb BirdLife International World Congress Partnerships for Nature and People

7. Many bird species are at risk of extinction Near Threatened 880 (9%) Threatened 1,313 (13%) Least Concern 7,677 (77%) Vulnerable 727 (55%) Data Deficient 60 (1%) Critically Endangered 197 (15%) Endangered 389 (30%) 197 bird species are classified as Critically Endangered, the highest threat level One in eight bird species is threatened with extinction Ottawa Canada June 19-22 2013 State of the World’s Birds www.birdlife.org/datazone/sowb BirdLife International World Congress Partnerships for Nature and People

8. The status of the world’s birds is deteriorating The UN now uses BirdLife’s Red List Index to monitor sustainability Birds are declining, but some groups such as seabirds are deteriorating faster than others. Ottawa Canada June 19-22 2013 State of the World’s Birds www.birdlife.org/datazone/sowb BirdLife International World Congress Partnerships for Nature and People

9. A range of threats is driving declines in globally threatened birds Unsustainable agricultural practices are the greatest threat to bird species Ottawa Canada June 19-22 2013 State of the World’s Birds www.birdlife.org/datazone/sowb BirdLife International World Congress Partnerships for Nature and People

10. Dr. Stuart Butchart Head of Science Birdlife International

11. Some sites are particularly important for birds and other wildlife We know where the most important nature sites are. We call these Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas – IBAs for short. BirdLife has identified more than 12,000 IBAs on land and at sea Ottawa Canada June 19-22 2013 State of the World’s Birds www.birdlife.org/datazone/sowb BirdLife International World Congress Partnerships for Nature and People

12. Many IBAs are in an unfavourable state— “IBAs in Danger” The BirdLife Partnership identified over 300 IBAs worldwide that need effective protection and management. IBA monitoring by BirdLife Partners has helped to identify IBAs in Danger Ottawa Canada June 19-22 2013 State of the World’s Birds www.birdlife.org/datazone/sowb BirdLife International World Congress Partnerships for Nature and People

13. IBAs guide protection in the oceans IBAs affect how we manage marine resources such as fish stocks Marine IBAs have been instrumental in identifying Protected Areas in the oceans Ottawa Canada June 19-22 2013 State of the World’s Birds www.birdlife.org/datazone/sowb BirdLife International World Congress Partnerships for Nature and People

14. What will it cost to save nature and protect it? • How much will it cost: • To save all threatened species from extinction? • To protect and manage key sites like Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas? BirdLife data show that US$80 billion per year is needed for global nature protection Ottawa Canada June 19-22 2013 State of the World’s Birds www.birdlife.org/datazone/sowb BirdLife International World Congress Partnerships for Nature and People

15. Investing in conservation is essential… and affordable This expense an investment ,not a bill. The alternative will be far more costly Ottawa Canada June 19-22 2013 State of the World’s Birds www.birdlife.org/datazone/sowb BirdLife International World Congress Partnerships for Nature and People

16. BirdLife Partners are implementing effective solutions BirdLifePartners have taken action for over 537 threatened species (40%), since 2008 Ottawa Canada June 19-22 2013 State of the World’s Birds www.birdlife.org/datazone/sowb BirdLife International World Congress Partnerships for Nature and People

17. Species can be saved from extinction Habitat restoration and the removal of invasive plant species by the BirdLife Partner in Portugal has helped save the Azores Bullfinch from extinction. In Brazil, the BirdLife Partner and others have successfully lobbied for a new state park to safeguard the future of the RestingaAntwren Over ten years, action by BirdLife Partners and others prevented the extinction of 16 bird species Ottawa Canada June 19-22 2013 State of the World’s Birds www.birdlife.org/datazone/sowb BirdLife International World Congress Partnerships for Nature and People

18. Citizen Science: Working Together on the State of Canada’s Birds Jon McCracken Director of National Programs, Bird Studies Canada Co-chair, Birds Specialist Subcommittee (Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada)

19. Report Overview • Canada’s first comprehensive report on the health of bird populations • What can changes in bird populations tell us about our environment? • How is human activity affecting bird populations? www.stateofcanadasbirds.org

20. Changes in Canada’s Birds On average Canadian bird populations have declined by 12% Some groups of species doing well (33% of species) Other groups of species declining (44% of species)

21. Canada’s Species at Risk 70 bird species in Canada face some risk of extinction or extirpation Four others are already Extinct or Extirpated. Canada Warbler (Threatened) 85% of Canadians say laws protecting species at risk are crucial to the diversity and abundance of wildlife, the Canadian economy, and Canadians’ health. – Ipsos Reid poll (December 2012)

22. Raptors (hawks, eagles, falcons) 70% average increase Populations of many species had crashed by the 1960s, largely as a result of pesticides such as DDT Banning of DDT has allowed many species to recover -- and made the environment healthier for people Birds of Prey are recovering Bald Eagle Peregrine Falcon

23. Waterfowl (ducks, geese, swans) – 45% average increase since 1970 Reflects success of conservation and management actions Effective regulation of hunting began in 1917, spurred by dramatic declines in populations of many species because of intense commercial exploitation Investment in wetland habitat conservation has been key since then Waterfowl are doing well

24. Aerial Insectivores (birds that catch insects in flight, such as swallows, swifts and flycatchers) – 64% decline Causes uncertain: changes in insect populations? loss of habitat? climate change? Aerial Insectivores in decline Barn Swallow Common Nighthawk Olive-sided Flycatcher

25. Grassland birds in trouble  Grassland birds - 45% decline • Some species have declined more than 90% • Loss of breeding and winter habitat • Conversion of native grassland • Agricultural intensification – replacing pasture with grain McCown’s Longspur Eastern Meadowlark Bobolink

26. Citizen Science is Key Christmas Bird Count Breeding Bird Survey Project FeederWatch Migration Monitoring eBird Canada Breeding Bird Atlases • An army of thousands of talented volunteer birders help monitor Canada’s bird populations through a variety of programs: There are many opportunities. Learn more at: www.birdscanada.org/volunteer

27. International Conservation:Opportunities for Action • Author of over 20 bird conservation plans • Steering committee member and co-author of State of Canada’s Birds • 35 years in bird monitoring and conservation Ted Cheskey Manager of Bird Conservation Programs, Nature Canada

28. 4 in 5 “Canadian” bird species spend much of their lives beyond our borders. Where do “our” birds go?

29. Further = Worse off Migrant Decline USA 5% Central America and Caribbean  15% South America  60% Year-round Residents Increase Canada (year-round residents)  50% Olive-sided Flycatcher Olive-sidedFlycatcher Wood Thrush ArcticTern

30. Disappearing shorebirds • Shorebirds (sandpipers, plovers) • 42% decline overall • Largest declines for Arctic-nesting species (>60%) • Amazing migrations • Dependency on stop-over sites • Susceptibility to disturbance • Unknown contribution of climate change Panama Bay Whimbrel

31. The Rufa Red Knot Story of the Rufa Red Knot James Bay, Canada • Migrates from Canadian Arctic to Tierra del Fuego (30,000 km round trip) annually • Depends upon key stop-overs to refuel including James Bay, Gulf of St. Lawrence, Delaware Bay USA, north east and south east Brazil, and Tierra de Fuego Chile/Argentina. • Moon Bird Delaware Bay, USA Bahia Lomas, Chile Arrives skinny and hungry Leaves plump and healthy

32. Important Bird Areas: a site-based solution

33. Important Bird Areas: Priorities for conservation • 2/3 IBAs in Canada are not formallyprotected • IBA networks throughout the Americas benefitourspecies • Canadians (government/NGOs/ business, individuals) need to invest conservation efforts abroad 2 views of Panama Bay, Matt Jeffries

34. Address working landscape: International Cooperation protects grassland birds Declining grassland birds • Habitat loss is biggest challenge throughout range • Pesticides also impacting species Upland Sandpiper Bobolink Alliance for the Grasslands • Cooperation to conserve grasslands in pampas of South America • Conserve traditional economy • Promote “certified” beef • Restore grassland bird populations • Apply similar strategies to breeding grounds in Canada and USA

35. A path forward • We know the priorities for conservation research and action • We know the solutions: • Investment in Partnerships • Protect IBAs • Flyways approach for key species • Respect and support traditional economies • Focus research where needed • Apply precautionary principle • So . . . Let’s do it!

36. Questions?

37. Thank You! For images or copies of the report: Ami Kingdon SMCC Ami.kingdon@sciencemedia.ca 613-878-8279 Vincent Allaire SMCC Media Officer (français) 514-887-8279 Vincent.allaire@sciencemedia.ca To coordinate interviews with panelists: Elaine Secord Bird Studies Canada 519-586-7251 esecord@birdscanada.org For more information on BirdLife International: Martin Fowlie BirdLife International martin.fowlie@birdlife.org