Birds in the United States are not only declining, but they are declining faster, especially in areas with intensive agriculture, according to new research. Overall drops in bird population, measured from 1987 to 2021, were sharpest in warm and warming areas, suggesting that climate change may play a role.

. “What we found is that any metric of agricultural intensity was always the best predictor of acceleration of the decline.”

      • saltesc@lemmy.world
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        4 days ago

        In contrast my dogs have become pals with our neighbours up in the back tree.

        Every afternoon around the same time, the birds land on the back porch and call them out,. Even if the dogs are snoozing they instantly get up and sprint outside, then a round of chasey-swoopy happens for a few mins before they all come up and sit on the back porch together for a while. This happens every day about an hour before sunset for a couple years now.

        Cool birds too. If I go out there and sit with everyone, the bravest bird some times perches on my arm with the temptation a small bit of ham.

          • saltesc@lemmy.world
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            3 days ago

            Yeah, but they’re native to this region and I’ve already had one family member track me down through Lemmy recently lol.

            They’re comparable to a crow in size and intelligence. But unlike a crow they have a beautiful song as well. They’re very social too

            So, yeah, it’s very sad to see one get taken out by someone’s housecat.

              • saltesc@lemmy.world
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                3 days ago

                Oh, don’t worry about it. That’s a me thing to worry about, not yours. I really wanted to answer your question but couldn’t without being weird about it.

                Point is; no matter where you are on this planet, birds are incredible. Many are super smart and so become friends or acquaintances.

                It’s very sad to see them taken out by cat owners (I’ll never blame the cat).