Greta Jimenez
Birds are vulnerable to a range of pollutants, from visible forms of pollution like plastic and oil spills to invisible pollutants like light and sound. While the exact number of bird deaths caused by pollution is challenging to determine, it is estimated that millions of birds are directly killed by human-induced sources each year. For example, the EPA estimates that carbofuran, a type of pesticide, kills 1 to 2 million birds annually in the United States alone. Worldwide, pesticides are believed to kill up to 67 million birds every year. Additionally, artificial light at night (ALAN) can disrupt the navigation of nocturnally migrating birds, leading to collisions with structures and contributing to bird mortality. Pollution from agriculture, logging, and urban activities also degrades watershed habitats, affecting bird populations. Climate change, habitat loss, and even free-roaming cats pose significant threats to bird populations, with cats killing approximately 1 billion birds yearly.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of bird species killed by pesticides worldwide each year | 67 million |
| Number of bird species killed by carbofuran in the US each year | 1-2 million |
| Number of bird species killed by collisions with buildings or other structures each year | 365 million to 1 billion |
| Number of bird species killed by wind turbines each year | 150,000 to 500,000 |
| Number of bird species killed by cats each year | 1 billion |
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What You'll Learn
Pesticides and toxins
Pesticides are biological pollutants used to kill unwanted pests, mainly insects and rodents. They are used everywhere, including farms, homes, lawns, and gardens. Unfortunately, pesticides don't just affect their intended targets. They often kill birds, leading to at least 67 million bird deaths every year in the US, according to conservative estimates. This number may be higher as death by toxins is challenging to detect.
Birds can be exposed to pesticides directly through the ingestion of seeds coated in pesticides or by consuming insects that have been sprayed with pesticides. A single corn kernel or seed coated with certain pesticides can kill a songbird. Even a tiny grain of wheat or canola treated with the oldest neonicotinoid, imidacloprid, can poison a bird. These pesticides enter the soil and water systems, leading to indirect ingestion by birds through affected plants, fish, and invertebrates. Insecticides are the biggest pesticide killers of birds, present in 70% of dead birds. The use of insecticides in agriculture has increased significantly, making it nearly impossible for birds to avoid contamination.
Some pesticides, such as carbamates, affect the central nervous system, causing instant deadly seizures. Others, like rodenticides, build up in the bird's system over time, resulting in slow but deadly hemorrhaging. Additionally, exposure to certain pesticides can interfere with a bird's ability to orient itself during migration, leading to disorientation and potential failure to reach their intended destinations.
The use of pesticides has caused a severe decline in bird populations. From 2008 to 2014, grassland bird populations, including sparrows and owls, declined by 4% annually, while insect-eating bird populations fell by 3% annually due to neonicotinoids. The US and Canada have lost 29% of their birds since 1970 due to cropland expansions and pesticide use.
Certain pesticides, like organochlorines, have been banned in the United States since the early 1970s due to their harmful effects on bird populations. However, the presence of these banned substances in the environment continues to impact some bird populations, such as Peregrine Falcons.
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Plastic pollution
One of the primary ways plastic kills birds is through ingestion. Birds mistake plastic debris for prey, attracted by its resemblance to food and the scent it can acquire over time. Small particles of plastic floating in the ocean or lightweight plastic items like bags can be easily consumed by birds, leading to fatal consequences. The ingested plastic accumulates in their stomachs, causing a feeling of fullness without providing any nutritional value, ultimately resulting in starvation. Additionally, sharp plastic pieces can puncture internal organs, and the chemicals coating plastics can have toxic effects on the birds' health.
Another leading cause of plastic-related bird deaths is entanglement. Birds, especially marine birds, get caught in discarded fishing gear, lines, and nets, which can restrict their movement, hinder their ability to hunt or escape predators, and cause injuries. Abandoned fishing equipment continues to ensnare wildlife in a phenomenon known as "ghost fishing." While data on the exact number of seabirds affected by entanglement is limited, estimates suggest that one-fifth of all seabird species may be impacted.
The impact of plastic pollution on bird species is not limited to immediate physical harm. Studies have shown that plastic ingestion can affect the growth and development of birds, reducing their body mass and causing physiological changes. Additionally, the presence of plastic in their diets can impact kidney function and reproductive output. These effects can have long-term consequences for bird populations and ecosystems.
The global reach of plastic pollution means that no bird species are untouched. Plastic waste can travel thousands of kilometres from its source, reaching even the most remote islands and affecting bird breeding colonies that were once considered safe. The flesh-footed shearwater, which breeds on Lord Howe Island, is a notable example of a species suffering from plastic ingestion.
Addressing plastic pollution is crucial to mitigating its devastating impact on bird species. Initiatives like the SPLASh program in Texas aim to tackle trash pollution along coastlines, recognising the direct pathway of litter from populated regions into the ocean. By reducing our plastic footprint and properly managing waste, we can help protect bird species from the deadly effects of plastic pollution.
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Light pollution
The glow from cities and urban areas can powerfully attract migratory birds, luring them into developed areas where food is scarcer and they face additional threats. Light pollution has been found to be a top predictor of bird densities at stopover locations, with birds often using the same stopover sites year after year. This attraction to light can result in fatal collisions with buildings, as seen in the mass bird loss event in Chicago on October 4-5, 2023, where nearly 1,000 birds died.
To address the problem of light pollution, measures such as shielding sources of artificial light, using non-reflective surfaces, and implementing adaptive light controls to manage light timing, intensity, and colour can be employed. Campaigns such as "Dim the Lights for Birds at Night" aim to raise awareness and encourage the adoption of practices that reduce light pollution, such as the "`Lights Out` programs" and the Urban Bird Treaty Cities network.
Additionally, the use of "warmer" light colours like amber, orange, and red is recommended as they are less harmful to birds and other wildlife. By implementing these measures and raising public awareness about bird migration habits, we can help protect migratory birds from the detrimental effects of light pollution.
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Oil spills
As birds instinctively try to preen and clean their feathers, they ingest the toxic oil, causing severe damage to their internal organs, including the liver, lungs, and intestines. This preening behavior overrides their natural instincts for self-preservation, making them more vulnerable to predators and less focused on feeding, further endangering their survival.
Research has shown that even a light coating of oil on less than 20% of a bird's body surface can significantly impact its energy expenditure. Western sandpipers, for example, used approximately 20% more energy when flying with a small amount of oil on their wings and tail feathers. When a heavier layer of oil was applied to 30% of their body surface, these birds expended upwards of 45% more calories in flight.
Migratory birds are especially vulnerable to the effects of oil spills. They rely on fat stores for their long journeys, and the additional energy expenditure caused by oil contamination can disrupt their breeding patterns and overall reproductive success.
The impact of oil spills on bird populations is severe and far-reaching. While the exact number of bird deaths caused by oil spills may vary, it is clear that this form of pollution poses a significant threat to bird species worldwide.
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Collisions with man-made structures
Bird behavior, such as roosting, feeding, breeding, and nesting, can increase the risk of collisions. For example, ground-dwelling birds are more prone to vehicle collisions as they spend more time at vehicle level. Additionally, the height of structures plays a crucial role, with taller structures posing a higher collision risk as they reach heights commonly used by birds during migration. Research indicates that collision mortality increases with structure height, particularly for communication towers and wind turbines.
Artificial lighting is another critical factor in bird collisions. Nocturnally migrating birds are attracted to and disoriented by artificial lights, making light pollution a significant contributor to collision mortality. Studies have shown that decreasing lighted window areas can significantly reduce bird collisions. For example, halving the lighted window area decreased collision counts by 11 times in spring and 6 times in fall. Additionally, reducing artificial lighting at night can help mitigate the disorienting effects on night-migrating birds, reducing collisions and concentrations of birds in human-dominated landscapes.
Several bird species listed as Birds of Conservation Concern due to their declining populations have been identified as highly vulnerable to building collisions. These include the Golden-winged Warbler, Painted Bunting, Canada Warbler, Wood Thrush, Kentucky Warbler, and Worm-eating Warbler. These findings highlight the need for conservation efforts to address the impact of man-made structures on bird populations.
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Frequently asked questions
It is difficult to establish an exact number as there are many factors to consider. However, it is estimated that up to 67 million birds are killed by pesticides each year, with carbofuran alone killing 1-2 million birds annually in the United States.
Birds are affected by a range of pollutants, from visible forms such as plastic and oil spills to invisible ones like light and sound. Pesticides and toxins from agricultural activities can directly kill birds. Oil pollution, for example, can cause mass seabird mortality, with thousands of tonnes of oil released during large-scale spills.
Human activities such as free-ranging cats, collisions with buildings, climate change, and habitat loss also contribute significantly to bird mortality. Cats alone kill roughly 1 billion birds annually, while collisions with man-made structures kill 365 million to 1 billion. Climate change impacts breeding and migratory seasons, and habitat loss has driven massive declines in bird populations since the 1970s.
Efforts to reduce human-induced bird mortality should focus on addressing the main drivers of bird death. This includes implementing measures to reduce the impact of pollutants, protecting and restoring bird habitats, and taking actions to reduce resource consumption. Additionally, programs like lights-out initiatives and bird-friendly projects can help minimize the impact on bird populations.
