International Links

Global

International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species
"Established in 1964, The International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species has evolved to become the world's most comprehensive information source on the global conservation status of animal, fungi and plant species. The IUCN Red List is a critical indicator of the health of the world's biodiversity. Far more than a list of species and their status, it is a powerful tool to inform and catalyze action for biodiversity conservation and policy change, critical to protecting the natural resources we need to survive. It provides information about range, population size, habitat and ecology, use and/or trade, threats, and conservation actions that will help inform necessary conservation decisions."

United States of America

Back from the Brink: Saving the Red Siskin (Sporagra cucullata)
Smithsonian Institute of Biodiversity Genomics | Washington DC.  "In Venezuela, the red siskin (Sporagra cucullata) is known as el Cardenalito—or "little cardinal"—a tribute to its vibrant colors. This charismatic bird is part of the country's national identity: It is the official bird of Lara state, the subject of well-known folk songs, and its image appears on the highest denomination currency, the hundred bolívar fuerte note. It is also one of the most endangered birds in the world."

The Plight of Birds
By Howard Youth - published in World Watch Magazine, May/June 2002, Volume 15, No. 3 | Washington DC. "Today, more than a thousand species of birds face extinction. Many more are in steady decline. Significantly, the strategies that can stop this attrition are the same strategies needed to  achieve a sustainable human future."