this week: Amazonian birds
Amazonian Birds live in the Amazon, the world's largest rainforest and river basin, home to one out of every ten known species.Over 1,300 of these species are types of birds which accounts for one-third of all bird species in the world. The diets of rainforest birds greatly differ between species, although, nuts, fruits and leaves are a common food for many birds in the Amazon. Birds migrate to the Amazon Rainforest from the North or South. Amazon birds are threatened by deforestation since they primarily reside in the treetops. At its current rate of destruction from deforestation, the rainforest will be gone in forty years. Human encroachment also negatively affects the habitat of many Amazonian birds. The production of agriculture and road clearings limits the areas that birds are able to reside in the rainforest. Birds in the Amazon are distinguished by which layer of the rainforest they reside in. Each layer or community has unique plants, animals and ecosystems. Birds interact with other animals in their community through the food chain, competition, mating, altruism and symbiosis.
The Amazon Rainforest is home to many endangered bird species. Even species of more recognizable birds, such as the toucan and parrot, are at risk of extinction. Human interaction, such as logging, hunting, gold mining, oil mining, farming and ranching have all created a disturbance in the Amazon rainforest that has resulted in the loss of habitats for thousands of species of animals, many of which are birds.
The Imperial Amazon (Amazona Imperialis) is one species that has been on the endangered species list since the early 1990s. In 1993, the species’ population was thought to have diminished to 80-100 individuals. When investigated more thoroughly, it was found that the diminishing number came as a result of habitat loss (plantation developments), trapping, and a lack of food sources. Like many other Amazon bird species, the Imperial Amazon is commonly sought after by trappers seeking profit through the illegal cage-bird trade. With conservation action increasing significantly in the last decade, trapping incidences have decreased significantly and the species’ population is now believed to be around 150 individuals.
The Harpy Eagle is another species found on the Critically Endangered list in Brazil. Like the Imperial Amazon, this bird species is also threatened by habitat loss as a result of human interaction. The species is all but whiped out from the Atlantic rainforest, and only small numbers can be found in the Amazon Basin. Globally the eagle is considered Near Threatened, yet the species is critically endangered throughout parts of Brazil including Espírito Santo, São Paulo and Paraná. However, conservation efforts for the Harpy Eagle have come a long way. Researchers from The National Institute of Amazonian Research and local volunteers are currently monitoring 59 nesting locations within the Amazon Basin. Similar efforts are being made in countries such as Panama and Belize, where The Belize Harpy Eagle Restoration Project began in 2003.
The Amazon Rainforest is home to many endangered bird species. Even species of more recognizable birds, such as the toucan and parrot, are at risk of extinction. Human interaction, such as logging, hunting, gold mining, oil mining, farming and ranching have all created a disturbance in the Amazon rainforest that has resulted in the loss of habitats for thousands of species of animals, many of which are birds.
The Imperial Amazon (Amazona Imperialis) is one species that has been on the endangered species list since the early 1990s. In 1993, the species’ population was thought to have diminished to 80-100 individuals. When investigated more thoroughly, it was found that the diminishing number came as a result of habitat loss (plantation developments), trapping, and a lack of food sources. Like many other Amazon bird species, the Imperial Amazon is commonly sought after by trappers seeking profit through the illegal cage-bird trade. With conservation action increasing significantly in the last decade, trapping incidences have decreased significantly and the species’ population is now believed to be around 150 individuals.
The Harpy Eagle is another species found on the Critically Endangered list in Brazil. Like the Imperial Amazon, this bird species is also threatened by habitat loss as a result of human interaction. The species is all but whiped out from the Atlantic rainforest, and only small numbers can be found in the Amazon Basin. Globally the eagle is considered Near Threatened, yet the species is critically endangered throughout parts of Brazil including Espírito Santo, São Paulo and Paraná. However, conservation efforts for the Harpy Eagle have come a long way. Researchers from The National Institute of Amazonian Research and local volunteers are currently monitoring 59 nesting locations within the Amazon Basin. Similar efforts are being made in countries such as Panama and Belize, where The Belize Harpy Eagle Restoration Project began in 2003.