Climate Change Threatens Bird Species, Including eagles, Pelicans & Turkeys
By Joe Songer, al.com, September 9, 2014
An in-depth report by the National Audubon Society published Tuesday found that nearly half of all North American bird species are likely to be significantly displaced by climate change by 2080.
The group examined 588 species of birds during the seven-year study and published maps on its web site for the 314 species it found to be climate-threatened or climate-endangered.
The maps show the range of the birds in 2000 based on observational data and the projected areas where the climate is expected to meet the birds’ needs in 2020, 2050 ad 2080.
The report’s authors conclude:
- Bald eagle — The bald eagle is projected to retain only 26 percent of its current breeding range by 2080. The iconic raptor could recover up to 73 percent of its breeding range in new areas opened up by a changing climate, but the author notes that is not guaranteed.Much of Alabama and Northwest Florida is projected to remain within the bird’s winter range.
- Osprey — The fish-eating raptor is forecast to lose 36 percent of its breeding season range by 2080. Climatic factors could allow the bird to move inland, although it’s uncertain how successful the bird would be finding food from freshwater sources. The bird, however, is projected to maintain its year-round status on the Gulf Coast.
- Wild turkey — The popular game species is expected to retain 52 percent of its known summer habitat, but just 13 percent of its winter, non-breeding habitat. Alabama and Northwest Florida mostly contains that winter habitat, which is expected to be substantially shifted northward.
- Brown pelican — The brown pelican is predicted to lose 54 percent of its current non-breeding range by 2080, but could gain up to 148 percent in expanded climate range. It is uncertain how climate change will impact the fish on which it feeds.
- Mallard — While the widespread duck seems poised to maintain 90 percent of its winter habitat, the model predicts the waterfowl will retreat to or near Canada each summer, retaining only 25 percent of its year 2000 summer range.
- Mississippi kite — This migratory raptor leaves North America during the winter, but its summer nesting grounds are projected to shift heavily northward. According to Audubon, the kite has shown strong ability to expand and could increase to 1,819 percent of current summer habitat, expanding from Louisiana, Texas and Oklahoma to Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Illinois and Iowa.
- White-breasted nuthatch — Popular backyard feeder bird the white-breasted nuthatch could become a less common site in Alabama and Northwest Florida in coming decades. The Audubon model has the species shifting northward, particularly in the summer months, maintaining just 22 percent of its widespread summer habitat, which as of 2000 included territory from west of the Mississippi River to the eastern seaboard, with pockets in California, Oregon and the “Four Corners” states.
- Hairy woodpecker — The hairy woodpecker is seen in winter throughout most of the gulf coast region, but sightings could become less common as temperature rises. The Audubon climate map has Alabama and Northwest Florida shifting from a dark blue indicating optimal climate conditions to a very light blue, indicating less favorable conditions. The report questions whether the species could even make it far enough north to achieve favorable summer climate conditions or whether there would be enough forests if they do.
A few things to keep in mind about the study:
- Study shows climate range only — The maps showing the birds’ ranges do not take into account land use, plant cover, human activity or any factors other than climate. For example, even though downtown Chicago may fulfill the climatic requirements of a species, the bird may not find happiness living at Wrigley Field. Likewise, while a bird may be able to quickly fly to cooler climates, the trees and plants they depend on may not.
- Data/projections reflect only North America — Many species that migrate to Central or South America during the year may face additional challenges that are not reflected in this study when they go south of the U.S. border. Those factors are not considered in the study.
Watch the video below or visit the Audubon Society’s climate page for more information on the study.
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