Natural History

Bird extinction

Bird extinction is the complete elimination of all species members within the taxonomic class Aves. Out of all known bird species (approximately 11,154), 159 (1.4%) have become extinct, with 226 (2%) being critically endangered. There is a general consensus among ornithologists that if anthropogenic activities continue as current trends suggest, one-third of all bird species, and an even greater proportion of bird populations, will be rendered extinct by the end of the 21st century. Critically endangered species, scientists estimate, will face extinction within a few decades without proper conservation efforts; of some of these species, the current presence of extant populations is uncertain.

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See also

• ▸Edward Donovan
• ▸Columbia, South Carolina
• ▸Great grey owl

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