Recently, scientists at the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), UK, and Yale University, Connecticut, US, have published a list of over 100 bird species at risk of extinction. This list includes the “Top 5 Most Endangered Birds in the World” that are critically imperiled. Join KnowAllAnimals to find out what these birds are!
1. Top 5 Most Endangered Birds in the World You Should Know About
Currently, there are countless bird species distributed widely across the globe. While some have uncountable populations, others are at risk of extinction. Here are the 5 Most Endangered Birds in the World. Let’s discover them!
1.1. Giant Ibis
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves
- Order: Pelecaniformes
- Family: Threskiornithidae
- Genus: Pseudibis
- Species: P. gigantea
Topping the list is the giant ibis, which stands about 1 meter tall, weighs 4.2 kg, and is native to Cambodia. Today, there are only 230 breeding pairs left in the world, with a tendency for this number to decrease further in the future. Zoologists say that their habitat is being destroyed, and their eggs are a favorite food source for mammals. For these reasons, their population is declining and difficult to conserve in the wild.
1.2. New Caledonian Owlet-Nightjar
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves
- Clade: Strisores
- Order: Caprimulgiformes
- Family: Caprimulgidae
- Genus: Caprimulgus
- Species: C. novaecaledoniae (Correction)
The second spot on the red list belongs to the New Caledonian owlet-nightjar. This bird leads a secretive life and is rarely seen in the wild. It has not been seen since 1998, but according to scientific estimates, its population is currently fewer than 50 individuals.
1.3. California Condor
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves
- Order: Accipitriformes
- Family: Cathartidae
- Genus: Gymnogyps
- Species: G. californianus
In third place is the California condor, a bird with a wingspan of up to 3 meters. A 1981 census found only 21 California condors left in the wild. Their numbers began to increase in 2003, but not significantly.
1.4. New Zealand Kakapo
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves
- Order: Psittaciformes
- Superfamily: Strigopoidea
- Family: Strigopidae
- Genus: Strigops G.R. Gray, 1845
- Species: S. habroptilus
The fourth spot belongs to the New Zealand kakapo, which is the heaviest species of parrot. It is currently under the management of the New Zealand government and is part of a conservation plan. Its current population is a mere 125 individuals.
1.5. Kagu
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves
- Order: Eurypygiformes
- Family: Rhynochetidae
- Genus: Rhynochetos
- Species: R. jubatus
And the fifth spot belongs to the kagu, a unique bird species from the largest island in New Caledonia, Grand Terre. This bird has smooth white plumage and is called the “ghost of the forest” by locals.
Professor Walter Jetz from Yale University and Imperial College London stated: “Half of the 100 bird species on the list receive little attention and have not even been included in the urgent conservation lists of many countries around the world.”
2. FAQs
1. What bird is classified as the “most endangered” on the list?
Topping the list is the giant ibis, a rare species with a height of nearly 1 meter, a weight of about 4.2 kg, and only around 230 breeding pairs remaining in the wild, with a continuing downward trend.
2. What is the status of the New Caledonian owlet-nightjar?
The New Caledonian owlet-nightjar is one of the most mysterious and rare species, with no confirmed sightings in the wild since 1998. Based on estimates, the current population is fewer than 50 individuals.
3. How many California condors still exist?
The California condor population was once as low as 21 individuals in the wild in 1981, and it has only slightly increased since 2003, but it remains at a critically low level.
4. What is the conservation status of the New Zealand kakapo?
The New Zealand kakapo, the heaviest parrot species, is currently managed and conserved with the involvement of the New Zealand government. The current population is estimated to be only about 125 individuals.
5. What is the kagu, and why is it endangered?
The kagu is an endemic species of the island of Grand Terre (New Caledonia), notable for its silky white plumage, which has earned it the nickname “ghost of the forest” from locals. This species is highly vulnerable and is classified as critically endangered.
The 5 Most Endangered Birds in the World mentioned are not only rare individuals of nature but also symbols of biodiversity that are slowly disappearing. The main causes are habitat destruction, climate change, and human activities. The conservation and population recovery of these birds are not only the responsibility of environmental organizations but also require the cooperation of society as a whole. Protecting these birds means protecting the ecological balance and preserving the beauty of our planet for future generations.
