About this item
Birds are disappearing.Birds are nature's essential workers, and they are crucial members of ecosystems around the world. Hummingbirds pollinate our flowers; cardinals munch on beetles, grasshoppers, and other pests that damage crops; owls eat rodents that can spread disease; vultures clean up roadkill and other waste. Beyond their practical aspects, birds bring us joy through their songs and beautiful feathers.But since 1970, nearly 30 percent of all birds in the United States and Canada have vanished. Scientists are scrambling to figure out what may be causing such a drastic decline. The answer: humans. City lights and tall glass skyscrapers disorient migrating birds. Domesticated cats prowling outdoors kill billions of birds each year. Pesticides contaminate fish and insects, which are then consumed by birds of prey.
About the Author
Rebecca E. Hirsch is the author of dozens of books about science and discovery for children and teens, including PLANTS CAN'T SIT STILL and BIRDS VS BLADES? OFFSHORE WIND POWER AND THE RACE TO PROTECT SEABIRDS. Her newest book is DE-EXTINCTION: THE SCIENCE OF BRINGING LOST SPECIES BACK TO LIFE, which AAAS/Science Books & Films calls "a fascinating look at a controversial subject." Rebecca holds a Ph.D. in molecular biology and her writing is informed by her background as a scientist. Rebecca lives in central Pennsylvania with her family. Visit her at RebeccaHirsch.com.
