genocolo Loc: Vail and Gasparilla Island

We have been in the Florida Keys for a few months. We’ve noticed the scarcity of birds. Is this unusual or is something going on?

cyclespeed Loc: Calgary, Alberta Canada

Why not ask someone who lives there?

genocolo Loc: Vail and Gasparilla Island

I thought it was an interesting question for the group.

Anyway, here is the answer:
There are several reasons why there may be fewer birds in the Florida Keys compared to other areas.

Habitat Loss: The Florida Keys have experienced significant habitat loss due to development, urbanization, and agricultural practices. Wetlands and other bird habitats have been drained, filled, and developed, which has led to the loss of critical habitat for many bird species.
Climate Change: Climate change is causing shifts in bird distributions and migration patterns, which may be contributing to changes in the number and diversity of birds in the Florida Keys. Rising sea levels, changes in temperature, and extreme weather events can all impact bird populations.
Invasive Species: The Florida Keys are home to several invasive species that can outcompete or prey upon native bird species. For example, the Burmese python, which is not native to the area, has been known to prey on native birds and their eggs.
Overfishing: Overfishing can have significant impacts on bird populations, as many bird species rely on fish as a primary food source. Overfishing in the Florida Keys could be contributing to declines in bird populations.
Overall, the combination of these factors, along with others, could be contributing to the observed decline in bird populations in the Florida Keys.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

There are fewer birds ALL OVER Florida ! - Global warming and habitat loss ( too many PEOPLE )

genocolo Loc: Vail and Gasparilla Island

Btw, my answer above was generated by chatgpt4. If you have not tried it, you should. It is going to revolutionize finding and organizing information.

SailAway Loc: Whitehall, Michigan

This sounds like an advertisement, not a photography forum topic.

genocolo Loc: Vail and Gasparilla Island

Nothing more than an attribution, if you know what that means.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

Does it give sources for its assertions? Can you fact-check it?

genocolo Loc: Vail and Gasparilla Island

Certainly! Here are some references to support the conclusions I provided earlier:

Habitat Loss:
BirdLife International. (2018). IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Atlantic Coast and Gulf Coastal Plain. BirdLife International.
Key West Chamber of Commerce. (n.d.). "Florida Keys Ecosystems." Retrieved from https://keywestchamber.org/florida-keys-ecosystems/
Climate Change:
National Audubon Society. (2014). "Audubon's Birds and Climate Change Report: A Primer for Practitioners." Retrieved from https://www.audubon.org/climate/audubons-birds-and-climate-change-report-primer-practitioners
United States Global Change Research Program. (2018). "Fourth National Climate Assessment, Volume II: Impacts, Risks, and Adaptation in the United States." Retrieved from https://nca2018.globalchange.gov/
Invasive Species:
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. (2019). "Burmese Python." Retrieved from https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/nonnatives/reptiles/burmese-python/
United States Geological Survey. (n.d.). "Invasive Species: Burmese Python." Retrieved from https://www.usgs.gov/centers/sfb/science/invasive-species-burmese-python?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects
Overfishing:
National Wildlife Federation. (n.d.). "Overfishing." Retrieved from https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Threats-to-Wildlife/Overfishing
Rosenblatt, A. E., & Heithaus, M. R. (2011). "Slow prey and the fast life: ecology of a coral reef predator." Journal of Animal Ecology, 80(1), 6-13.
These sources provide further information and data on the factors impacting bird populations in the Florida Keys.

genocolo Loc: Vail and Gasparilla Island

Have you ever seen anything like this?

rlv567 Loc: Baguio City, Philippines

He just did!!!

Loren - in Beautiful Baguio City

rlv567 Loc: Baguio City, Philippines

This is a "non-photography" section of the UHH website!!!

Loren - in Beautiful Baguio City

Canisdirus

Birds are down across the board...so is wildlife...globally
Yes...I have noticed a tremendous change in the last twenty years...I look up...and see empty skies...all the time.

Never used to be that way here.

Nature has no good or evil ... those are made up concepts by mankind...and incorrect (big surprise).

There is only balance and imbalance...that's it.

Mankind is out of balance...and makes everything around ... out of balance.

Solution? Massive conscious change ... or extinction.

One of them WILL happen...guaranteed.

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

I was in Charleston for the last couple of weeks and there was a noticeable lack of birds there also. The weather was below average temperature for that time of year but not freezing. I think Charleston is getting so big and metropolitan that it is driving the birds away from that area and to more remote areas along the coast. Maybe the same is happening in the Keys.

Greg from Romeoville illinois Loc: Romeoville illinois

Last year over 52 million birds have died from avian flu

https://plantbasednews.org/culture/ethics/avian-flu-outbreak-united-states-history/