Climate change threatens New Mexico birds
Climate change threatens New Mexico birds
| September 14, 2014 | Updated: September 14, 2014 6:30pm
About 50 bird species in New Mexico are being threatened by climate change, according to the study released last week. The study said New Mexico birds at risk include the Bullock's oriole, the prairie falcon, the pinyon jay and the mallard duck, the Santa Fe New Mexican reported (http://bit.ly/1sRQGxl) Sunday.
"In terms of findings, this study really brings to the fore that climate change is the number one threat facing birds," Audubon New Mexico director Carol Beidleman said.
According to the report, New Mexicans will experience warmer temperatures, and drought will lead to the loss of habitat. For example, the blue pinyon jays associated with the state's northern region will find nesting and food hard to come by as pinon forests get eradicated. The golden-eyed burrowing owl that is seen less and less in Santa Fe County could lose more than 75 percent of its breeding range in North America.
Raymond VanBuskirk, a biologist and president of the Central New Mexico Audubon Society, said the finches and songbirds are already declining at several sites.
More:
http://www.chron.com/news/science/article/Climate-change-threatens-New-Mexico-birds-5754956.php
