What is the importance of maintaining genetic diversity in bird populations?

The North American bird population is down by 2.9 billion breeding adults, with devastating losses among birds in every biome. A staggering 3 billion birds – close to one in three individuals – have been lost from Canada and the United States since just 1970. Birds provide humans with pleasure, joy, and spiritual inspiration merely by their presence. Perhaps most importantly, birds are also excellent indicators of ... Feb 3, 2025 ... Bird flu is certainly a public health threat,” said Gonzalo Bearman, MD, chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases. Aug 14, 2017 ... Birds now are clearly understood to be descended from dinosaurs, or at least from the therapod branch of dinosaurs. As a definition, “birds are ... Bird, Lime, Spin and Superpedestrian partner to share best practices for regulating e-scooters and e-bikes in North American cities. Bird species are quickly disappearing from the skies. For the most part, human activity is to blame. But there is hope. Mar 15, 2017 ... Hermit Thrush Under Feeders. Snowy days always bring more birds in a larger variety to the yard. The most unusual and puzzling bird I saw under ... Birds Keep Our Ecosystems Running Smoothly · Birds eat insect pests that would otherwise decimate agricultural crops, gardens, and other vegetation. · Birds ... Nov 25, 2022 ... Are birds mammals? No, birds are not mammals. Rather, they are avians. Mammals are characterized by their milk glands, hair, vertebrae and their ...