STATE OF THE WORLD’S BIRDS

Photo: jmtimages

INTRODUCTION

Biodiversity underpins our lives, but is rapidly being eroded

Photo: Rory McCann

Birds are an important component of biodiversity

Photo: Bill Swindaman

Key species identify key sites- Important Bird Areas

Photo: taivasalla

We value birds for many reasons

Photo: miscpix

STATE

Numerous bird species have been driven extinct

Photo: Kari Marie

Many bird species are close to extinction

Photo: Kevin D. Mack

Bird species are becoming more threatened

Photo: C K Wong

Many common bird species are declining

Photo: jcoelho

PRESSURE

Human actions are putting pressure on species, sites and habitats

Photo: Stephen Rees

Invasive alien species, including diseases, are spreading

Photo: Emerging Birder

Agriculture destroys and degrades more habitat than any other factor

Photo: SigmaEye

Forest loss is one of the major threats to biodiversity

Photo: crustmania

Infrastructure development is a growing problem

Photo: xiaming

Pollution remains a serious concern

Photo: marinephotobank

Overexploitation affects many bird species

Photo: Durai Raj

Commercial fisheries seriously threaten seabirds

Photo: mot the hoople

Human-induced climate change may pose the greatest challenge

Photo: BinaryApe

Threats to biodiversity have much deeper causes

Photo: Marco Lambertini

RESPONSE

Sound environmental governance is the fundamental starting point for conservation

Photo: United Nations Photo

Larger and better-targeted investment is needed for effective conservation

Photo: Photos8.com

Linking biodiversity conservation to people’s livelihoods and wellbeing

Photo: Chad Galloway Photo

Building broad constituencies of people to bring about change

Photo: J C Eames

Sustaining birds and biodiversity in the wider landscape and seascape

Photo: midlander1231

Conserving Important Birds Areas as key sites for biodiversity

Photo: edg1

Species can be saved from extinction

Photo: Seamus McCann

Birds can help us keep track of progress

Photo: Yukon White Light

OTHER SOWB RESOURCES

Web Resources: http://www.biodiversityinfo.org/default.php?r=sowbhome

Handbook: (contact) birdlife@birdlife.org

S T A T E O F T H E W O R L D ’ S B I R D 2 0 0 4Indicators for our changing world

An assessment from the BirdLife Partnership

Background photo: gorditojaramillo