‘Extinction crisis’ could see 500 bird species vanish within a century – report

Puffins, such as these on Skellig Michael, are one of the species predicted to be lost if current trends continue. File picture: PA/Nick McAvaney

More than 500 bird species could vanish within the next century, researchers have found, calling for urgent “special recovery programmes” such as captive breeding and habitat restoration to rescue unique species.

Birds such as the puffin, European turtle dove, and great bustard will be among those to disappear from our skies if trends continue, according to the paper. Their loss threatens to unravel ecosystems across the globe.