Stu Butchart
@stubutchart.bsky.social
Chief Scientist at BirdLife International, the world’s largest partnership of nature conservation organisations.
New paper shows mortality of migratory shorebirds along China’s coast from hunting, fishery bycatch and, at aquaculture sites, bird deterrence measures accounts for 1-10% of total flyway populations for 11 species & is unsustainable for several of these. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
November 7, 2025 at 8:42 AM
New paper shows mortality of migratory shorebirds along China’s coast from hunting, fishery bycatch and, at aquaculture sites, bird deterrence measures accounts for 1-10% of total flyway populations for 11 species & is unsustainable for several of these. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Gripping video of the last 2 Slender-billed Curlews at www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/S.... I couldn't afford to join some mates who did a trip to Morocco to see them in 1992, 2 years before they disappeared. And last week, we declared the species extinct in our update to the IUCN Red List 😢
Slender-billed Curlew Declared Extinct
IUCN confirms the loss of a once-widespread Western Palearctic wader after three decades without a verified record
www.rarebirdalert.co.uk
October 17, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Gripping video of the last 2 Slender-billed Curlews at www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/S.... I couldn't afford to join some mates who did a trip to Morocco to see them in 1992, 2 years before they disappeared. And last week, we declared the species extinct in our update to the IUCN Red List 😢
I was struck by this graph showing the spectacular growth in the UK population of Goshawks over my lifetime, which are still recovering from the impacts of persecution and pesticides that almost wiped them out. Conor James discusses this phenomenon at www.birdguides.com/articles/it-...
October 17, 2025 at 10:40 AM
I was struck by this graph showing the spectacular growth in the UK population of Goshawks over my lifetime, which are still recovering from the impacts of persecution and pesticides that almost wiped them out. Conor James discusses this phenomenon at www.birdguides.com/articles/it-...
Reposted by Stu Butchart
🦅 Nearly 50% of Bearded Vulture territories in southern Africa have been abandoned. Human impacts, power lines & settlements, are key drivers, with food shortages adding pressure. Protecting them means tackling these threats head-on. doi.org/10.1650/COND... #VultureConservation #AfricanOrnithology
Anthropogenic activities influence the abandonment of Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) territories in southern Africa
Abstract. Developing an effective conservation strategy for a critically endangered species relies on identifying the most pressing threats to the species.
doi.org
October 15, 2025 at 4:06 PM
🦅 Nearly 50% of Bearded Vulture territories in southern Africa have been abandoned. Human impacts, power lines & settlements, are key drivers, with food shortages adding pressure. Protecting them means tackling these threats head-on. doi.org/10.1650/COND... #VultureConservation #AfricanOrnithology
Today a publication celebrating the legacy of Gustavo Fonseca is launched at the GEF pavilion at IUCN World Conservation Congress
October 12, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Today a publication celebrating the legacy of Gustavo Fonseca is launched at the GEF pavilion at IUCN World Conservation Congress
Reposted by Stu Butchart
Well, it's official. After our paper last year (onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....), the Slender-billed Curlew is officially declared Extinct today.
Scientists dream of describing new species, not writing their obituary and epitaph, knowing that they are gone forever #ornithology
Scientists dream of describing new species, not writing their obituary and epitaph, knowing that they are gone forever #ornithology
October 10, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Well, it's official. After our paper last year (onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....), the Slender-billed Curlew is officially declared Extinct today.
Scientists dream of describing new species, not writing their obituary and epitaph, knowing that they are gone forever #ornithology
Scientists dream of describing new species, not writing their obituary and epitaph, knowing that they are gone forever #ornithology
Check out the new Key Biodiversity Areas website at www.keybiodiversityareas.org. Helpful guidance on what KBAs are, how they are being used by governments & other end-users, how to get involved, unprecedented access to the full dataset etc. @keybiodiversity.bsky.social @birdlifeglobal.bsky.social
Key Biodiversity Areas
Homepage description
www.keybiodiversityareas.org
October 11, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Check out the new Key Biodiversity Areas website at www.keybiodiversityareas.org. Helpful guidance on what KBAs are, how they are being used by governments & other end-users, how to get involved, unprecedented access to the full dataset etc. @keybiodiversity.bsky.social @birdlifeglobal.bsky.social
Fascinating article making a reasonable case that this neolithic rock engraving from 2000-5000 years ago in Alta, northern Norway, shows a Great Auk (now extinct) being captured. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
October 2, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Fascinating article making a reasonable case that this neolithic rock engraving from 2000-5000 years ago in Alta, northern Norway, shows a Great Auk (now extinct) being captured. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
Three decades of fantastic conservation efforts even in the most challenging of circumstances. We're always humbled by the commitment of those on the ground saving the world's birds and nature more broadly...
From saving iconic species to publishing the Ukraine Breeding Bird Atlas during wartime, USPB has spent 30 years protecting Ukraine’s nature.
We’re proud to have them in the @birdlifeglobal.bsky.social Partnership and support their work for people & the planet 💛💙
www.birdlife.org/news/2025/09...
We’re proud to have them in the @birdlifeglobal.bsky.social Partnership and support their work for people & the planet 💛💙
www.birdlife.org/news/2025/09...
30 years of conservation: Celebrating our Ukrainian Partner’s legacy
In 2025, our Ukrainian Partner, the Ukrainian Society for the Protection of Birds (USPB), marks its 30th anniversary.
www.birdlife.org
September 26, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Three decades of fantastic conservation efforts even in the most challenging of circumstances. We're always humbled by the commitment of those on the ground saving the world's birds and nature more broadly...
Reposted by Stu Butchart
From saving iconic species to publishing the Ukraine Breeding Bird Atlas during wartime, USPB has spent 30 years protecting Ukraine’s nature.
We’re proud to have them in the @birdlifeglobal.bsky.social Partnership and support their work for people & the planet 💛💙
www.birdlife.org/news/2025/09...
We’re proud to have them in the @birdlifeglobal.bsky.social Partnership and support their work for people & the planet 💛💙
www.birdlife.org/news/2025/09...
30 years of conservation: Celebrating our Ukrainian Partner’s legacy
In 2025, our Ukrainian Partner, the Ukrainian Society for the Protection of Birds (USPB), marks its 30th anniversary.
www.birdlife.org
September 26, 2025 at 9:25 AM
From saving iconic species to publishing the Ukraine Breeding Bird Atlas during wartime, USPB has spent 30 years protecting Ukraine’s nature.
We’re proud to have them in the @birdlifeglobal.bsky.social Partnership and support their work for people & the planet 💛💙
www.birdlife.org/news/2025/09...
We’re proud to have them in the @birdlifeglobal.bsky.social Partnership and support their work for people & the planet 💛💙
www.birdlife.org/news/2025/09...
Great talk by @rspb.bsky.social CEO Becky Speight to kick off the Avian Odyssey symposium at @nhm.org on the theme of how birds provide a reason for hope. I’ll pick up on this in the global context this afternoon. @birdlifeglobal.bsky.social
September 20, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Great talk by @rspb.bsky.social CEO Becky Speight to kick off the Avian Odyssey symposium at @nhm.org on the theme of how birds provide a reason for hope. I’ll pick up on this in the global context this afternoon. @birdlifeglobal.bsky.social
This is a game changer for marine conservation. Now we need to build on the momentum and designate high seas marine protected areas to conserve Key Biodiversity Areas @keybiodiversity.bsky.social
🌊 A historic day for our oceans! 🌍
With 60 ratifications, the High Seas Treaty will now come into force – a milestone for global ocean conservation.
Let’s keep building momentum and turn 60 into global! #60toGlobal
Discover more 👉 highseasalliance.org/treaty-ratif... @highseasalliance.bsky.social
With 60 ratifications, the High Seas Treaty will now come into force – a milestone for global ocean conservation.
Let’s keep building momentum and turn 60 into global! #60toGlobal
Discover more 👉 highseasalliance.org/treaty-ratif... @highseasalliance.bsky.social
September 20, 2025 at 7:49 AM
This is a game changer for marine conservation. Now we need to build on the momentum and designate high seas marine protected areas to conserve Key Biodiversity Areas @keybiodiversity.bsky.social
More evidence of the scale of human impacts: new study documents 220 extinctions (incl. 27 birds) on Macaronesia (Azores, Madeira, Canaries, Cape Verde etc). Post-human colonisation extinction rate >12 times higher. Paper doi.org/10.1093/pnasnexus/pgaf215. Story: www.birdguides.com/articles/ext...
A synthesis of terrestrial species extinctions in the Macaronesian Islands and their correspondence with human occupancy
Abstract. We present the first synthesis of all known terrestrial endemic species extinctions in the biogeographical region of Macaronesia, covering all ar
doi.org
September 12, 2025 at 9:52 AM
More evidence of the scale of human impacts: new study documents 220 extinctions (incl. 27 birds) on Macaronesia (Azores, Madeira, Canaries, Cape Verde etc). Post-human colonisation extinction rate >12 times higher. Paper doi.org/10.1093/pnasnexus/pgaf215. Story: www.birdguides.com/articles/ext...
Fascinating anecdote about General Motors and sperm whale oil in this article in @theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/news/2025/se...
September 12, 2025 at 7:19 AM
Fascinating anecdote about General Motors and sperm whale oil in this article in @theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/news/2025/se...
Next month (Sat 20 Sept) I'll be talking about the State of the World's Birds at 'Avian Odyssey 2025'. Come along to the Natural History Museum, London, for a day of fascinating talks www.nhm.ac.uk/our-science/... @bou.org.uk @nhm.org @birdlifeglobal.bsky.social
August 27, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Next month (Sat 20 Sept) I'll be talking about the State of the World's Birds at 'Avian Odyssey 2025'. Come along to the Natural History Museum, London, for a day of fascinating talks www.nhm.ac.uk/our-science/... @bou.org.uk @nhm.org @birdlifeglobal.bsky.social
Reposted by Stu Butchart
Millions of 'Ghost' Pheasants Go Unregistered as Shooting Estates Flout Rules www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/M...
Millions of 'Ghost' Pheasants Go Unregistered as Shooting Estates Flout Rules
New data exposes widespread non-compliance with Pheasant release registration laws - raising concerns over bird flu, biodiversity, and biosecurity
www.rarebirdalert.co.uk
August 8, 2025 at 7:11 AM
Millions of 'Ghost' Pheasants Go Unregistered as Shooting Estates Flout Rules www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/M...
Reposted by Stu Butchart
Amazing: Birds may have a previously unrecognized ability to switch sexes. #ornithology
‘Sex reversal’ is surprisingly common in birds, new study suggests
Survey of five Australian avians finds numerous discordant individuals, including a genetically male bird that had laid an egg
www.science.org
August 19, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Amazing: Birds may have a previously unrecognized ability to switch sexes. #ornithology
A paper describing the history of AviList and how the new unified global bird checklist was created has now been published - free to download until 1 September: rdcu.be/euZjH
AviList: a unified global bird checklist
rdcu.be
July 8, 2025 at 7:36 AM
A paper describing the history of AviList and how the new unified global bird checklist was created has now been published - free to download until 1 September: rdcu.be/euZjH
Very cool to see Beaver in Canterbury city centre before breakfast this morning…
July 6, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Very cool to see Beaver in Canterbury city centre before breakfast this morning…
New paper showing Key Biodiversity Areas are valuable in marine environments even for broadly distributed species. KBAs could be recognized for 3/4 threatened & 2/3 non-threatened restricted-range sharks using range maps conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.... @keybiodiversity.bsky.social
June 26, 2025 at 8:18 AM
New paper showing Key Biodiversity Areas are valuable in marine environments even for broadly distributed species. KBAs could be recognized for 3/4 threatened & 2/3 non-threatened restricted-range sharks using range maps conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.... @keybiodiversity.bsky.social
New paper reviewing the world's 10,443 Critically Endangered species: their status, distribution threats and the actions needed for their recovery
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
The status, threats and conservation of Critically Endangered species - Nature Reviews Biodiversity
Species classified as Critically Endangered are at greatest risk of extinction, and their preservation and recovery are crucial to meeting global biodiversity aims. This Review assesses the geographic...
www.nature.com
June 25, 2025 at 10:43 AM
New paper reviewing the world's 10,443 Critically Endangered species: their status, distribution threats and the actions needed for their recovery
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
Are there new threats, novel solutions, policy developments, or worrying/encouraging trends etc which may have significant implications for nature conservation and that are not widely known? Please share suggestions for horizon scan of emerging conservation issues. Thanks! #biodiversityfutures
June 11, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Are there new threats, novel solutions, policy developments, or worrying/encouraging trends etc which may have significant implications for nature conservation and that are not widely known? Please share suggestions for horizon scan of emerging conservation issues. Thanks! #biodiversityfutures
Fascinating new paper shows link between penguin poo & weather: ammonia released from guano forms airborne particles that seed clouds, influencing climate processes across Antarctica. Scientific paper: www.nature.com/articles/s43... News article: www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/RealData/Art...
June 11, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Fascinating new paper shows link between penguin poo & weather: ammonia released from guano forms airborne particles that seed clouds, influencing climate processes across Antarctica. Scientific paper: www.nature.com/articles/s43... News article: www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/RealData/Art...
Find out more about the background behind AviList www.avilist.org - the new unified global bird taxonomic checklist, and why it is significant at www.linkedin.com/posts/stuart...
Home
AviList is a collaborative global effort to produce a single current consensus taxonomy for the birds of the world, along with key information on taxonomy and nomenclature. The checklist is free for d...
www.avilist.org
June 11, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Find out more about the background behind AviList www.avilist.org - the new unified global bird taxonomic checklist, and why it is significant at www.linkedin.com/posts/stuart...
We've just launched AviList! - the new unified global taxonomic checklist for the world's birds, developed through the Working Group on Avian Classification, including BirdLife, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, IOC and others @birdlifeglobal.bsky.social @birdsoftheworld.bsky.social www.avilist.org
June 11, 2025 at 2:44 PM
We've just launched AviList! - the new unified global taxonomic checklist for the world's birds, developed through the Working Group on Avian Classification, including BirdLife, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, IOC and others @birdlifeglobal.bsky.social @birdsoftheworld.bsky.social www.avilist.org