Published by Rosalind on 10 Feb 2009 at 03:03 pm
Birds On the Move
Eastern Wild Turkey. Photo by Gary Stolz, USFWS.
A new Audubon Society study has shown that many North American bird species seem to be shifting their ranges north, and scientists think the changes may be due to the warming climate. The average change seen is 35 miles, but some have extended their ranges much more than that. Two of the species that have moved the farthest over the last 40 years include the Purple Finch and the Wild Turkey. Some species have stayed put, however, and most of them seem to be grassland birds.
Citizen scientists can do a lot to help researchers study birds. If you have ever helped with an Audubon Christmas Bird Count, then you helped gather the data for this study. Check out the study here to see what your favorite birds are doing – and how you can help them! What the Birds Are Telling Us.