Save the Tricolored Blackbird!
Once the most common bird species in California, the tricolored blackbird's population has dropped 44 percent over three years. In 2011, about 258,000 of the birds lived in California. In 2014, that number declined to 145,000. In the 1930s, the birds numbered in the millions.
According to Michael Lynes, the director of public policy at the California Audubon Society, the blackbirds have declined because of a loss of their wetland habitat. Their rapidly dwindling numbers leave them at risk of extinction. ""Colonial nesters need to have fairly large numbers in order to maintain a sustainable population over time," says Lynes. "Our concern is this population is going to crash in the way the Passenger Pigeon, the Carolina Parakeet did—their numbers just dropped off a cliff and then the bird was extinct."
California must work to save this unique songbird before it's too late! Please sign the petition to urge the California Department of Fish and Game to list the tricolored blackbird as an endangered species!
I am concerned with the future of the tricolored blackbird in California. Once the most common bird species in California, the tricolored blackbird's population has dropped 44 percent over three years. In 2011, about 258,000 of the birds lived in California. In 2014, that number declined to 145,000. In the 1930s, the birds numbered in the millions.
According to Michael Lynes, the director of public policy at the California Audubon Society, the blackbirds have declined because of a loss of their wetland habitat. Their rapidly dwindling numbers leave them at risk of extinction. ""Colonial nesters need to have fairly large numbers in order to maintain a sustainable population over time," says Lynes. "Our concern is this population is going to crash in the way the Passenger Pigeon, the Carolina Parakeet did—their numbers just dropped off a cliff and then the bird was extinct."
I believe that California must work to save this unique songbird before it's too late! I respectfully urge you to list the tricolored blackbird as an endangered species. Thank you for taking the time to read and consider this petition.
