Arndt Sven-Erik/Arterra Picture Library/Alamy
Earth is home to around 50 billion wild birds according to a new global estimate, but most species are very rare and only a handful number in the billions.
Just four undomesticated species are in the club of those with a billion-plus individuals, with house sparrows (
Passer domesticus) the most abundant, followed by European starlings (
Sturnus vulgaris), ring-billed gulls (
Hirundo rustica). By contrast, 1180 species number fewer than 5000 birds each.
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“One of the takeaways is mother nature just loves rare species. It’s what some refer to as hyper dominance, which has been found in Amazonia tree flora and other plant groups. It’s not terribly surprising, but it’s good to have the data,” says Corey Callaghan at the University of New South Wales, Australia, who led the research.
Scotland on wildlife list of shame thetimes.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thetimes.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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A bird charity has vowed to change its posters after a birdwatcher from Bristol claimed they re sexist.
Image source: Tom McDonnell, Northcoast Nature. Used with kind permission of RSPB NI
Four calling male corncrakes have been recorded on Rathlin Island for first time since the late ‘70s / early ‘80s, thanks to regenerative farming techniques.
A Northern Ireland (NI) Environment Agency corncrake grant scheme is in place on the island, and is administered by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) NI. The scheme works with farmers to ensure their lands remain safe for these protected birds. One example of farming techniques supported by the scheme is to mow in a spiral where it is known that birds are present to give them time to move out of harm’s way.