Every year, the Bicknell's thrush makes a heroic journey from its winter homes in the Dominican Republic and West Indies and lands in New England where it nests in firs and spruce trees that grow 3000 or more feet above sea level. The Bicknell's thrush is the only bird in the world known to nest exclusively in the northeastern United States.
But this elusive song bird is the victim of power plant pollution and climate change which are wreaking havoc with New England's red spruces and balsam fir. Global warming models show the balsam fir, in particular, as going the way of the dodo if carbon dioxide emissions continue unabated. When its nesting habitat dies, the Bicknell's thrush will face extinction as well.
Conservationists are calling for reforestation of the thrush's habitat, but you can help by asking the US Fish and Wildlife Service to list the Bicknell's Thrush as an endangered species.
We the undersigned applaud the efforts you have already made on behalf of the Bicknell's Thrush. We support the listing of this elusive song bird on the Endangered Species list.
The Bicknell's thrush merits ESA protection because of the terrible threats to its habitat. The Bicknell's thrush nests exclusively in the northeastern forests of North America. It depends on spruce and fir trees for its survival. However, those trees are dying as a direct result of industrial pollution and global warming.
We urge you to proceed with the immediate listing of the Bicknell's thrush under the Endangered Species Act.
