Climate Change News: More than Half of North American Bird Species Threatened; Possibility of Extinction in Next 65 Years [PHOTO]

According to a new report published this past Monday by the National Audubon Society, nearly half the bird species in North America are threatened by climate change. ThinkProgress reports that as the climate of North America changes, 126 bird species will lose more than half of their current ranges by 2050, and will have no possibility of colonizing new areas if global warming continues on its destructive course.

If the birds cannot find new places to live, feed, and breed over the next 65 years, there is a large possibility that many of them will become extinct. Gary Langham, Audubon Chief Scientist and leader of the report, stated, "The greatest threat our birds face today is global warming... That's our unequivocal conclusion after seven years of painstakingly careful and thorough research. Global warming threatens the basic fabric of life on which birds - and the rest of us - depend, and we have to act quickly and decisively if we are going to avoid catastrophe for them and for us," further emphasizing the gravity of the situation.

NPR reports that the study done by Langham and his team looked at more than 40 years of climate data and records from bird censuses conducted by the Audubon and US Geological Survey. Changes in bird migration patterns were compared to changes in climate in order to predict the fate of 588 bird species currently found in the US and Canada.

According to the New York Times, some of the most threatened bird species are the northern hawk owl, the rufous hummingbird, the trumpeter swan and the three-toed woodpecker. The bald eagle also stands to lose about 75% of its summer range over the next 65 years, and many birds could lose almost 99% of their ranges by 2080.

Mr. Yarnold of the Audubon Society stated that maybe the birds will all be "incredibly hardy and find ways to survive," conveying his hope for the effort. However, he added, "That doesn't seem likely, given, one, the number of birds affected, and two, the pace at which these things are happening."