Why Are Island-Dwelling Australian Birds at Higher Risk of Extinction?

In a first-of-its-kind study, researchers have found common traits shared by Australia’s bird species that increase their extinction risk.

A kookaburra perches on a burnt tree in the aftermath of a bushfire in Wallabi Point, New South Wales, Australia, Nov. 12, 2019, in this image obtained from social media. Courtesy of Adam Stevenson/Social Media via Reuters

Australia is home to over 750 native bird species but those numbers are facing a dramatic decline, with many of those species at higher risk of extinction.

In a first-of-its-kind study, the Australian National University (ANU) has shed light on the common traits shared by Australia’s most at-risk bird species, offering insights into the factors that heighten their threat of extinction.