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Hundreds of species of migratory birds are being stressed by climate change according to a report by the Interior Department. Nearly a third of the nation’s 800 species are endangered.
For the first time, the report adds climate change to other factors threatening bird populations, including destruction of habitat, hunting, pesticides, invasive species and loss of wetlands.
The report said that oceanic and shore birds are among the most vulnerable to climate change because of rapidly changing marine ecosystems and rising sea levels.
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“Birds are excellent indicators of the health of our environment, and right now they are telling us an important story about climate change,” said Kenneth Rosenberg, director of conservation ccience at Cornell University’s Lab of Ornithology. “Many species of conservation concern will face heightened threats, giving us an increased sense of urgency to protect and conserve vital bird habitat.”
