Urbanization is a threat to 78% of the world's bird species (c.f. cats!)

In the title c.f. means 'compare'. Humans need to stop passing the buck and blaming cats for bird predation when (1) the existence of domestic and feral cats is down to humans - but for humans there would be no domestic and feral cats, and (2) the ever-increasing urbanisation of the planet contributes to bird deaths in large numbers. Here is some information from a study: Bird species' tolerance to human pressures and associations with population change. Link: https://doi.org/10.1111/geb.13816.

Image: AI. Superb isn't it?!

This research examined the tolerance of avian species to anthropogenic pressures (human activities) and its association with population trends. The findings indicate that a substantial proportion, approximately 78%, of the studied bird species exhibit low tolerance for highly modified environments with significant human presence. This intolerance coincides with population decline, as species struggling in human-dominated areas also displayed trends of decreasing populations. The study underscores the potential detrimental effects of human activities on avian populations.

RELATED: Migrating birds drawn to their death in collisions with skyscrapers at night.

More detailed summary:

Let’s delve into the study titled “Bird species’ tolerance to human pressures and associations with population change” by Emma-Liina Marjakangas, Aleksi Lehikoinen, and others. Here’s a concise summary:

Aim: The study aimed to quantify the tolerance of bird species to human pressures across a global scale. It also explored how this tolerance relates to population trends.

Data and Methods: Species Studied: The researchers analyzed data for 6,094 bird species.

Human Footprint Index (HFI): They used binary observation data from eBird and modeled species’ occurrences based on the HFI. The HFI represents the level of human impact on an environment.

Human Tolerance Index (HTI): The HTI was calculated for each species, representing the level of HFI where predicted occurrence probability reduced to 50% of the maximum.

Population Trends: The study compared tolerances across species with increasing, stable, and decreasing population trends.

Key Findings: Tolerant Species: Approximately 22% of bird species were found to tolerate highly modified, human-dominated environments.

Sensitive Species: A tiny fraction (0.001%) occurred only in intact environments.

Population Trends: Species with decreasing population trends had lower tolerance than those with increasing or stable trends.

Implications: The estimated HTI can inform conservation efforts by identifying species unable to tolerate intensifying human pressures. It sheds light on how species use space in human-dominated landscapes.

This research provides valuable insights for understanding bird responses to human influence and aids in conservation planning.

Sources: via the internet: The study itself, Research  Portal St. Andrews, Online Library Wiley, Nature.com and more.

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P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins.