Federation to publish first report on Taiwan’s birdsMILESTONE: The report highlights threats such as the degradation of wetlands, and compiles long-term data gathered by researchers, citizen scientists and birdersBy Lin Chia-nan / Staff reporterThe Taiwan Wild Bird Federation yesterday said that it would publish the nation’s first comprehensive report on the 674 wild bird species documented in Taiwan and the threats facing them, hailing it as a milestone for the nation’s biodiversity conservation efforts. The State of Taiwan’s Birds 2020 report compiles long-term observation data collected by researchers, citizen scientists and birders, with the earliest data sets dating to 1972, federation secretary-general Allen Lyu (呂翊維) said. Of the 674 wild bird species documented in Taiwan, 52 are threatened, while the populations of 29 breeding birds and 15 migratory waterbirds are declining, Lyu said. The report highlights threats faced by the birds, including climate change, invasive bird species, loss and degradation of wetlands, poisoning, the wild bird trade and seabird bycatch, he said. Migratory birds that winter in Taiwan come from northern countries, so Taiwan’s data are helpful for other countries, he said.

Source: Taipei Times December 22, 2020 15:56 UTC