Birds are the “canary in the coal mine” for our environment.  Their health, abundance and distribution can signal trends in the health of the larger environment.The Audubon Society of Northern Virginia (ASNV) has a long history of documenting bird life in our community and promoting conservation actions to conserve birds and other wildlife. 

Without habitat, we would have no birds. Eleven percent or 1,111 of the world’s species of birds are at risk; 200 could disappear within 20 years (Bird Life International 2000). The primary threat to birds is habitat loss and fragmentation.  

ASNV’s report, Birds in Northern Virginia (a 60-page PDF), documents the regional situation and substantiates negative trends in abundance and distribution of many birds, particularly those that depend on quality natural habitat. Northern Virginia’s native birds are most impacted by the alteration or elimination of natural areas.

Backyard birds decline:  “Since 1967, there’s been a 70% decline in common backyard birds because of habitat fragmentation or development, said Lynn Scarlett, deputy secretary of the U. S. Department of Interior. . .  Scarlett said species including rackles, meadowlarks and sparrows are on the decline.”  -- Washington Post, January 20, 2008