The Future of Birds

July 29, 2015


The Earth is undergoing profound changes to its climate. Global warming has raised the planet's average surface temperature about 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit since the Industrial revolution. This impact on Climate Change is largely driven by human greed rather than human need.

In our opinion, humans are directly responsible for most of the threats to wildlife. Some of these threats include habitat loss, land degradation and fragmentation, pollution and over exploitation of the Planet's finite natural resources. In the coming years, human induced global warming may be the most serious threat, not only to wild life but to all of humanity, jeopardizing the life sustaining ability of our Green Planet.

Bird populations around the world are excellent bio indicators which provide crucial insights into the effects of climate change on ecosystems. All species of birds appear to be very sensitive to changes in climate, and evidence seems to indicate that this sensitivity makes them primary indicators of global climate change. They are among the best studied and monitored for changes occurring due to the impact of global warming. Scientists have found declines of up to 90 % in some bird populations, as well as total and unprecedented reproductive failure in others. Currently, there are 10,425 known living species of birds, 21 percent of which are currently prone to extinction due to a wide variety of threats.

Climate change is already having a strong negative impact on birds, affecting bird's behaviour, distribution and population dynamics across Europe, say a group of scientists publishing their findings to create the world’s first indicator of the climate change impacts on wildlife at a continental scale.

More than 350 of the Planet's most important sites for nature are threatened according to a new report by Bird Life International. Bird and biodiversity areas are places of International significance for the conservation of the world's birds. In the Indian context, 10 important bird and biodiversity areas (IBA's)are in grave danger, especially the Western Ghats bird endemic areas. It's only going to get worse, since extreme weather events are becoming more severe. Many birds are forced to shift their predictable ranges to survive and in this battle of quick adaptation, one can often see more losers than winners, resulting in significant loss of bird species which are already threatened or fail to adapt to a new environment. Impact of climate change has an interesting paradox too. On one hand, the endangered and rare species suffer but on the other some species may benefit. Both resident and migratory birds considered relatively safe may also suffer decline in populations. As the climate continues to change, some species won't be able to find suitable habitats.


Effects of Climate Change

• Birds are exposed to Harsh winters making it difficult for them to survive.
• Migratory birds may have to change their migration routes, which is no easy task.
• Wetlands which often act as refuelling stops for migratory birds may vanish resulting in food shortage.
• Many fruit and flowering trees have a delayed fruit set resulting in food shortages which force birds life cycle out of synchrony with plants upon which they depend.
• Food shortages are already causing many bird species to starve to death, resulting in population decline.
• Birds endemic (present in a particular location) to the Western Ghats may find it difficult to cope up with the shortage of food supply and may be forced to nest at different times in response to changing availability of food they depend on to feed the young.
• Birds nesting close to river banks or low lands will have their nests washed away by increased flooding due to sudden down pours.
• Salt water ingression into fresh water ecosystems will damage fragile aquatic habitats, killing fish and other insect life, there by affecting the birds that depend on them.


Conclusion

Birds suffer from the impact of Climate change in every continent. A status report compiled for WWF finds a clear and escalating pattern of climate change impacts on bird species around the world, suggesting a trend towards a major bird extinction from global warming. Scientists have found that bird extinction rates could be as high as 38 percent in Europe, and 72 percent in north-eastern Australia, if global warming exceeds 2 º C above pre-industrial levels (currently it is 0.8ºC above). One way of securing the future of birds is by redoubling conservation efforts to safe guard bird habitats and also curbing greenhouse gas emissions.


Acknowledgement

These birds of the Indian Sub Continent were shot by Ashley Rasquinha, director, technical, Electropneumatics and Hydraulics, during his visits to different wildlife sanctuaries and his wanderings in nature. Ashley is an avid bird watcher and brings out a calendar on wildlife each year to help people understand the value of wildlife conservation.

 

 

Dr Anand & Geeta Pereira - Archives

 

 

By Dr Anand & Geeta Pereira
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Comment on this article

  • Abhishek kumar, Mangalore

    Sun, Aug 09 2015

    Dear sir and Madam,
    Thank you very much for this eye opener article. We must protect wildlife as they are a must for eco balance. Our survival and their survival are interdependent somewhere. I hope the article will help people realise the worth and importance of them for the mankind.

  • A.J.Pais, Siddapur

    Wed, Aug 05 2015

    Dear Dr Anand & Ashley.

    This is a path way & another promising avenue for getting your photos publicly displayed & approach your local Motel's, cafes, and even doctors (especially veterinarians).especially project these promising images in a venue or local conservation group or outdoor club—whether you’re a member or not. These types of organizations often rely on sales of calendars or other visually-impactive media to supplement their funding, and free donations of quality bird images to these should be met with grateful acceptance. Keep in mind that as a photographer your most valuable currency may well be exposure rather than monetary gain.

    This way we can create awareness within the local community,rather than expecting the community to read LIKE & forget about it OR may be read & don't respond or do not want to understand as it does not create revenue to oneself.

    In my understanding a selfie picture gain's more attention than a picture relating to protecting nature,hence a public approach by displaying these picture's in prominent location's with the birds name will gain more attention & public awareness.

    Well done You both "Magnifique"

    A.J.Pais

  • anita britto, Mangalore/Auckland

    Tue, Aug 04 2015

    An amazing article focussing on Global Warming’s impact on bird life. Very inspiring and would make every person on this planet, young or old realise that they have a part to play. The consequences of global warming are seen every day in extreme weather events, in rising sea levels and the threat of more than a million species close to becoming extinct.

    Awesome mind-blowing pictures and it’s hard to imagine the effort and time gone into capturing them.

    Hope articles like this are circulated to as many as possible as we have to collectively explore the challenges that global warming creates and take steps to combat it.

    The state of our planet – the only one we got – is in our hands - and hope we ensure that it stays a wonderful world for generations to come.

    Congratulations on this excellent article and thank you for all your efforts in trying to share your knowledge with us.

    Only after the last tree has been cut down.

    Only after the last river has been poisoned.

    Only after the last fish has been caught.

    Only then will you find that money cannot be eaten.

    Cree Indian Prophecy

  • Mohan Frank, Mangalore / Mumbai

    Tue, Aug 04 2015

    Dear Ashley & Dr. ATP, we really appreciate your efforts in sharing your time and talents with us.
    Breath taking, amazing and awesome photography by Mr.Ashley Rasquinha,i could count the number of feathers on a bird in your photograph, that shows the resolution and precision clarity in your pictures.Thank you for sharing such wonderful images and ATP for throwing light on the images with the text content
    Please do continue sharing such information to keep us d with the present scenario.

  • Ivan Frank, Mangalore

    Mon, Aug 03 2015

    Great photography for a equally thought provoking and excellent treatise on the future of birds. If we continue abusing nature in our greed to amass wealth the future generation will have to be satisfied with seeing the pictures and videos of birds and animals rather than watching them alive as most of the species would be extinct .

  • Allen Pais, Brisbane

    Sat, Aug 01 2015

    Ashley & Anand.
    Good day mate.

    The WILD Fowl Picture is Magical,Anand will narrate the story.

    Regards.

    Allen Pais ( Briabane)

  • Liza Gina Pais, Brisbane

    Fri, Jul 31 2015

    Dear Dr Anand & Uncle Ashley.

    The pictures are colorful & very rare,you both must have spent a lot of time & patience to capture the beautiful images,we will definitely take responsibility & protect those kind birds.

    Thank you for all the efforts & knowledge you both have shared to the world & i only hope your article will have Millions of viewers across the globe commenting/liking,can i suggest if you could convert these pictures & name the birds into a nice Youtube vedio,it will really get a million likes "Indian Birds" or world Birds.

    Thanking you.

    Liza Gina Pais (Brisbane)

  • Joe Britto, Nakre/Bangalore

    Fri, Jul 31 2015


    Yet another set of great pictures of Birds . Thanks Dr. Anand Pereira & Dr Geeta Pereira for bringing these Angels live to us.

    AA)Birds matter because they give us wings. And because if we save the birds, we will save the world. —Pepper Trail, USFWS forensic ornithologist

    BB)Birds are wherever we are. They are our companions. Birds are mediators between heaven and earth. —Terry Tempest Williams, Author, When Women Were Birds

    BB)Without birds, nature would lose her voice and the planet its most engaging envoys. Birds matter precisely because they matter to us. Environment is a concept. Nature a label. Birds are real, elements that live within our sensory plane. They spread their wings and bridge the gap between our world and the natural world. —Pete Dunne, Author, director Cape May Bird Observatory

  • francis lobo , mangalore

    Thu, Jul 30 2015

    Dr. Anand It was a most relevant topic to discuss on the effect of climatic change on the bird population. I read somewhere before that ,the Birds and animals are the first one to detect certain calamities on earth,like earthquake. They are the first receptors of the events to come by.Imagine a world without these creatures?.Thanks for the nice photographs. Please caption each photographs, so that we can know what the bird or animal is commonly called

  • Leander Pais, Brisbane

    Thu, Jul 30 2015

    Dr Anand & Ashley Rasquinha.

    Your journey has molded for your greater good, and it was exactly what it needed to be. Don't think you've lost time in capturing valuable images of those lovely holy colorful birds. There is no short-cutting to life. It took each and every situation you have encountered to bring you to the moment of not only good but excellent photography. And now it is right on time to demonstrate to the people the value of nature & it's preservation.

    Well done & perfect Photography.

    Lots of love & regards.

    Leander Pais (Brisbane)

  • Leona Pais, Brisbane

    Thu, Jul 30 2015

    Wonderfull pictures Dr Anand & Ashley Rasquinha.

    I believe in the way forward & it is only “There is an easy way to silence your critics just try to do what they say you can't do. If they are still not content, do more of it! Keep doing it until you become a master. Then look around, and you will see fewer critics and many compliments!”

    Believe in what you do & you will bear the fruits of your work,You may not get many likes or comments but,you have achieved your target & protected nature to a very high level.

    Congratulations & lovely colorful pictures.

    Leona Pais-Brisbane

  • Rashmi, Mlore

    Thu, Jul 30 2015

    Sadly education for some of us is just a means to better living, with which comes conveniences and no time to think of the after effect!

  • Allen Pais, Brisbane

    Thu, Jul 30 2015

    Dear Dr Anand & Ashley Rasquinha.

    We are directly responsible for most of the threats to wildlife. threats include habitat loss, land degradation and fragmentation, pollution and over exploitation of the Planet's finite natural resources. These words that you have mentioned in most of your articles, I am surprised why do people do not acknowledge & walk the talk together, social media allows us to demonstrate our knowledge for the betterment of the world community, Articles are viewed & understood, but there is a scare of acknowledgement that leads to responsibility. If we can get people understand responsibility & generate awareness then all Goals that you have set can be achieved.

    Mother nature has been given to us humans by GOD as a gift to take care & we should embrace this gift by taking care of it with gratitude.

    Birds have significant colors & they have been created for a reason,so that humans can differentiate the various types of birds as they are unique to nature & remember they are living to fly,unlike humans who intend to fly effortless,every change is now performed by the click of a button "ENTER & OK",Let us respect the bird for the strength it has.

    Wonderful pictures have been displayed ,that shows clear patience, timing & absolutely every single word & picture of this article is a magnanimous effort to protect nature & let the next generation live a wise & peaceful life.

    Excellent article Dr Anand & Great pictures Ashley.

    Regards-Allen Pais (Brisbane

  • Nihal J Pereira, Mangalore

    Wed, Jul 29 2015

    Thank you Ashley Uncle for the mind blowing pictures of various birds in the wild.We need to protect this rare treasure for all generations to come.

  • Shsm, Doha

    Wed, Jul 29 2015

    Nice Article, human greed rather than human need is the main reason for climate change and this will lead to the extinction of birds and other wild lives and we may lose bio indicators of climate change.

  • Mitha, Udupi

    Wed, Jul 29 2015

    As always your article stands out,glad to note that there are thinkers like me,the greatest threat to us Is global warming,which is not yet accepted by so many educated people.


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