Key Findings of the Study:

• 48% of the extant bird species are undergoing population decline.
• 5% of 10,994 recognised extant species are currently threatened with extinction of which:
• 9% are Near Threatened
• 7% are Vulnerable
• 4% are Endangered
• 2% are Critically Endangered
• Alongside tropical forests, natural grasslands emerge as a habitat that is particularly threatened.
• Threat of natural grasslands has been particularly worrying for North America, Europe and India.
• It highlights the need for conservation as birds are sensitive indicators of environmental health.
• Threats:
• The degradation and loss of natural habitats as well as direct overexploitation of many species are the key threats to avian biodiversity.
• The use of 37% of the surviving bird species as common or exotic pets and 14% as food are examples of direct overexploitation.