Human beings have a serious impact on the environment and, with it, on all species that inhabit ecosystems. Birds are one of the animals most affected by human activities, so much so that the number of common bird species, whose population is detrimental, has tripled in the last ten years in Spain.
In 2005, 14 species of birds were recorded in decline. Today, 38 are suffering a considerable reduction in populations. In other words, one out of every three species of birds that spend the spring in Spain is in decline in population. Do you want to know more about the situation of the birds?
Birds in reverse
Spring is the time of year when most birds have their reproduction and breeding. Therefore, it is important to maintain good environmental and health conditions so that bird populations are not affected by our activities. However, according to the data presented by SEO / BirdLife in the framework of the XXIII Spanish Congress of Ornithology, it has been registered, 37% of the birds analyzed show an unfavorable situation.
To give examples, the swallow is losing 24,6% of its individuals in Spain, the swift 34,43%, the common lark 34,7% and the house sparrow, the species of bird that is most associated with the being human, it has decreased by 15%.
And there are cases of particular concern, such as that of the gardener bunting, with a decline of 66,2%, the quail, with 66% fewer individuals, or the western jackdaw, which accumulates a decline of 50,75%.
Threatened birds
Most of the named species are linked to agricultural environments, which is why they are affected by the destruction of their habitats. Among the threats they have to face are:
- Impact of some intensive agricultural practices
- Use of pesticides
- Rural abandonment and desertification
- Global warming
- Use of poisons
- Illegal hunting
- Collisions and electrocutions
All these threats are reducing bird populations in Spain.