Migratory Habits

• Posted on 19th November 2012
• in Birdwatching, Wildlife
• by Richard+

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The Environmental Protection in the Caribbean has helped to conduct a census of 18 species of birds. They are trying to determine how many birds in these species exist and live on the planet. In order to get an accurate count the scientists and researchers travelled all throughout the Caribbean. They went from Anguilla to Grenada. They were monitoring the migration patterns of these birds and their nesting areas and their living habits. They are trying to better understand how these birds live and reproduce. The scientists described it as an amazing journey to research these beautiful and majestic creatures.

Unfortunately, the research did not yield good results. Their research showed that the bird populations were almost always decreasing. This is horrific. Most of the studied species decreased to nearly eighty percent of their original estimates. If trends continue this could lead to extinction. It would be a great tragedy if these beautiful birds were wiped off the face of the planet. Something needs to be done to protect these animals. The disappearance of tropical islands is the leading cause of the decline. These tropical islands were important breeding grounds and nesting areas for the birds. Now that these birds can no longer go to the islands; they can no longer reproduce. They cannot replenish the population of birds that die.
The main cause of the decline can be attributed to global warming. The planet is warming and as a result, sea levels are rising. This means that some islands are being swallowed by sea water. This is catastrophic for the birds and other animals that depend on these islands. It is spectacular how far reaching actions can be. The increased concentration of carbon dioxide from cattle and exhaust is leading to the planet keeping more heat from the sun. As a result, the polar ice caps melt. The melting ice caps also destroy the species that live there. The melting reaches thousands of miles away. Many more species can be affected by global warming. We need to change our ways to save species.