Author: abdulnasser eisa

A new global study published in July 2026 in Nature Reviews Biodiversity reveals that migratory birds are facing an escalating conservation crisis. The study found that 51% of the world’s migratory bird species are experiencing population declines, warning that ongoing threats could drive many more species toward extinction unless stronger conservation measures are implemented.

According to the study, the world is home to approximately 3,382 migratory bird species, representing nearly 31% of all bird species globally. The authors also identified taxonomic discrepancies involving around 1,966 species across major global databases, highlighting the need for improved monitoring programs and greater harmonization of migratory bird datasets.

The assessment showed that:

• 51% of migratory bird species are declining.
• 31% have stable populations.
• 10% are increasing.
• 8% lack sufficient data to determine population trends.

The study further reported that 189 bird species have become extinct—or are presumed extinct—since the year 1500, including an estimated 8–16 migratory species. The most recent example is the Slender-billed Curlew (Numenius tenuirostris), which was officially declared extinct in 2025.

Regarding extinction risk, the authors found that 9% of migratory bird species are globally threatened with extinction, including 43 species classified as Critically Endangered.

Population declines also vary among habitats. Approximately 70% of forest-associated migratory birds are declining, while declines affect 44–56% of species migrating along terrestrial flyways and 51–65% of those using marine flyways, underscoring the severe pressures facing seabirds.

The study identifies the principal threats to migratory birds as habitat loss and degradation, climate change, unsustainable hunting and trade, collisions with buildings, power lines and other infrastructure, pollution and agricultural pesticides, invasive alien species, and diseases such as avian influenza.

The authors also note that free-ranging domestic cats and collisions with buildings each kill more than one billion birds annually in the United States and Canada. In addition, threats such as bycatch in commercial fisheries, invasive species, and climate change affect an estimated 200 million seabirds worldwide.

To reverse these trends, the researchers recommend expanding long-term monitoring programs, increasing the use of tracking technologies and artificial intelligence, protecting breeding, stopover, and wintering sites, reducing illegal hunting, mitigating infrastructure-related mortality, controlling invasive species, strengthening international cooperation, and securing sustainable funding to support the implementation of global agreements for the conservation of migratory species.

A new scientific paper entitled “Breeding record of the Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides (Scopoli, 1769) in Libya” has been published in the Open Veterinary Journal (Volume 16, Issue 7, 2026), documenting the first confirmed breeding record of the Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides) in Libya.

This study represents a significant contribution to the country’s ornithological knowledge, providing the first scientific evidence that the species breeds in Libya. Until now, the Squacco Heron had been regarded primarily as a passage migrant within the country.

The researchers documented a successful breeding attempt in July 2022 at the wastewater treatment ponds of Wadi Saso, Misrata, in northwestern Libya. A breeding pair was observed incubating a clutch of four eggs in a nest constructed on a tree within the treatment facility.

The findings highlight the important ecological role that artificial wetlands can play in supporting breeding populations of waterbirds, particularly in arid environments where natural wetlands are limited. The study emphasizes the need to conserve and manage these habitats as valuable refuges for biodiversity.

This publication adds an important reference to the growing body of ornithological research in Libya and demonstrates the value of long-term field monitoring and scientific documentation in improving our understanding of bird distribution, breeding ecology, and conservation across the country.

The full paper is available in the “Scientific Publications” section.

A recent scientific study entitled “Diversity and Behavior of Gulls (Aves: Laridae) Along the Coast Between Tajoura Port and Tripoli Port, Libya” was published in the Biodiversity Journal on 30 June 2026.

The study was conducted from February 2021 to January 2022 along the coastal stretch between Tajoura Port and Tripoli Port in northwestern Libya. Its primary objective was to investigate the diversity, abundance, and behavioral patterns of gulls, while also assessing the influence of several environmental factors on their distribution and population dynamics.

The survey recorded 2,775 individual gulls representing nine species of the family Laridae, providing up-to-date scientific data on gull assemblages along this section of the Libyan coastline.

The findings highlight the ecological importance of Libya’s coastal habitats for seabirds and contribute valuable baseline information for future biodiversity monitoring, ecological research, and conservation planning along the Libyan coast.

The full paper is available in the “Scientific Publications” section.

The Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis) is widely recognized as one of the world’s most successful invasive bird species. Its ability to adapt to urban and agricultural environments, reproduce rapidly, and compete with native species for food and nesting sites has contributed to its spread across many regions.

In Libya, the first published scientific record of the species came from Ain Zara, Tripoli, in 2024, where several individuals were observed, suggesting that the species had already established a local presence before its formal documentation (Etayeb & Elkrew, 2025).

Shortly afterward, another scientific study confirmed successful breeding of the Common Myna in Libya, documenting nests, breeding pairs, and juveniles in several locations, including Musaid, Tobruk, Benghazi, and Tripoli. These findings indicate that the species is expanding its range and becoming established across geographically distant parts of the country (Etayeb et al., 2025).

Experiences from other countries show that invasive species are most effectively managed during the early stages of their spread. Once established, control efforts become significantly more difficult and costly. The Common Myna has been associated with negative impacts on native birds through competition for food and nesting sites, occupation of nest cavities, and reduced breeding success of some local species.

The Libyan Society for Birds (LSB) therefore highlights the importance of:

• Strengthening monitoring programs across Libyan cities.
• Documenting new breeding and distribution records.
• Raising awareness about the impacts of invasive species on native biodiversity.
• Regulating the trade and keeping of non-native species and preventing their release into the wild.
• Developing a national early-management and control plan before the species becomes widespread.

LSB also encourages birdwatchers, researchers to report sightings of the Common Myna, including location, date, and photographs whenever possible. Such contributions can help build a national database to track its spread and assess its impact on native bird populations.

Protecting biodiversity is a shared responsibility, and early action today may help prevent greater environmental challenges in the future.

Every year on 17 June, the world marks the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, raising awareness about the importance of protecting land and natural resources and preventing land degradation.

This year’s theme is:
“Rangelands: Recognize their value, Respect them, Restore them.”

Rangelands are among the world’s most important ecosystems. They provide food and shelter for a wide range of wildlife, including many bird species that depend on natural vegetation for feeding, nesting, and protection.

The degradation of rangelands and the loss of vegetation due to desertification and drought not only affect people and livelihoods but also threaten biodiversity and contribute to the decline of many wild species. Protecting and restoring these ecosystems is therefore essential for conserving birds and their habitats.

On this occasion, the Libyan Society for Birds (LSB) reaffirms the importance of sustainable land management and supports efforts to protect natural habitats and conserve biodiversity for a more sustainable future.

Photos taken on Friday, 5 June 2026, highlight the environmental changes affecting Boumrim Sabkha in the city of Sirte. Large parts of the wetland appear dry due to limited rainfall in recent months, while sections of the site have also been impacted by landfilling activities.

Sabkhas are important ecosystems that provide natural habitats for many species, particularly migratory and waterbirds that depend on these areas during different stages of their life cycle. Continued drought and human pressures threaten the ecological value of these habitats and the essential ecosystem services they provide.

Protecting Boumrim Sabkha and other wetlands in Libya requires continuous monitoring and efforts to reduce activities that damage these ecosystems. Conserving these sites is vital for biodiversity, ecological balance, and the protection of natural resources for future generations.

📷 Libyan Society for Birds (LSB)