National Bird Day: 15 Endangered Species

CALIFORNIA CONDOR 

Population: 44

Habitat: Cliffs, rocky outcrops and large trees in western America

Why They Are Endangered: In the 1970s, the largest flying bird in North America faced extinction, leaving only one or two dozen birds left. This major decline was due to lead poison ingestion and illegal egg collection. They also mature and reproduce slowly. (National Geographic) 

KITTLITZ'S MURRELET 

Population: Unknown

Habitat: Solitary places in rugged coastal mountains of the United States and Russia

Why They Are Endangered: The Kittlitz's Murrelet is known as the most mysterious American seabird. Because of climate change and the glacial recession, these birds have experienced a huge decline in population. Other threats include habitat degradation, mortality in gill-net fisheries and commercial tour-boat traffic. (Center for Biological Diversity) 

MADAGASCAR FISH EAGLE 

Population: 240

Habitat: Estuaries, mangroves and marine islands in the northwest and inland freshwater rivers and lakes in the Antsalova region in Madagascar

Why They Are Endangered: During the mid-twentieth century, the large bird of prey suffered a major decline in population due to habitat degradation and human disturbance. However, they have always had a small population because of poor juvenile dispersal and incestuous mating. (Arkive) 

KAKAPO

Population: 78

Habitat: This large, flightless, nocturnal parrot inhabits a range of vegetation throughout most of the North, South and Stewart Islands in New Zealand. 

Why They Are Endangered: Over 50% of the adult birds on Stewart Island were killed each year by cats, according to a study by Clout and Merton. In addition, the species is known to have low egg fertility and exceedingly low natural reproductive rates. (Bird Life) 

IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER

Population: 1–49

Habitat: Historically, this bird was found in the forests of Cuba and the United States.

Why They Are Endangered: Hunting, logging and clearance for agriculture have all impacted the species' decline. (Bird Life) 

YELLOW-CRESTED COCKATOO 

Population: 1,500–7,000

Habitat: Forest edge, woodland, farmland, coconut palms, semi-arid areas and forest in Timor-Leste and Indonesia

Why They Are Endangered: Because of illegal trapping for the international caged-bird trade, the population of the Yellow-crested Cockatoo has suffered greatly. In addition, large-scale logging and deforestation have added to the decline. (Parrots) 

PUERTO RICAN AMAZON 

Population: 33–47

Habitat: Forested parts of Puerto Rico

Why They Are Endangered: This green parrot has, thankfully, been saved from extinction, but still struggles to survive due to the almost total loss of suitable forest habitat. Over the century, the caged-bird trade, hunting and pest control also affected the bird's demise. Natural disasters such as hurricanes or heavy rainfall thwarts the bird's recovery program. (Bird Life) 

BALI STARLING

Population: 1–49

Habitat: Tropical grassland, tropical dry forest in Indonesia

Why They Are Endangered: This beautiful bird is in great danger of extinction due to habitat loss, natural disasters and trapping for pet trade. As a result, they are part of a European Endangered Species program where the focus is on ensuring the future of the species. (Bristol Zoo) 

AMSTERDAM ALBATROSS

Population: 100

Habitat: This enormous albatross can be found on the central plateau on Amsterdam Island in the southern Indian Ocean.

Why They Are Endangered: Because these birds are restricted to one small area on one small island, the species has had difficulty surviving. In addition, its breeding sites have been introduced to cattle, other predators and human disturbance. (IUCN Red List) 

MANGROVE FINCH 

Population: 30–200

Habitat: This small brown finch is native to the mangroves of the Galapagos Islands and Ecuador.

Why They Are Endangered: Disease and predation are the two main factors contributing to the decline of the Mangrove Finch. A parasite that can be found in the finches' nests not only affected the chicks' survival, but introduced predators such as rats, cats and Smooth-billed Anis. (Durrell) 

RUFOUS-HEADED HORNBILL

Population: 1,000–2,499 adult birds

Habitat: Rainforests in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines

Why They Are Endangered: A combination of deforestation and hunting for food and pet trade has affected the hornbill's population decline. In addition, Rufous-headed hornbills reproduce rather slowly. As a result, this bird is extinct on one of the three islands it is known to live on in the Philippines. Little else is known, due to lack of sightings and research. (Bird Life) 

NIGHTINGALE REED-WARBLER 

Population: 2,000–2,499

Habitat: Wetlands, thickets and the margins of forests in Guam, Saipan, Alamagan, Aguijan and Pagan in the Northern Mariana Islands

Why They Are Endangered: Habitat loss (such as wetland destruction) and the impact of predators are two factors affecting the Nightingale Reed-warbler's critically endangered status. The brown tree snake is primarily to blame for the decline of the species on the island of Guam. (Bird Life) 

RED-HEADED VULTURE

Population: 2,500–9,999

Habitat: The medium-sized, bulky vulture can be found in a variety of habitats from open countryside and savanna to dry deciduous forest and wooded hills in Asia.

Why They Are Endangered: Several factors are responsible for the demise of the vultures from Asia. Uncontrolled hunting, disease, direct persecution of the birds, increased sophistication of waste disposal techniques and toxin ingestion. (Arkive)