Birds of prey in danger around the world

The tawny eagle is considered by scientists to be vulnerable to extinction. The destruction of forests and grasslands in Africa and South Asia is shrinking its habitat. Photo: Evan R. Buechley via AP

Despite a few high-profile conservation success stories – like the dramatic comeback of bald eagle populations in North America – birds of prey are in decline worldwide.

A new analysis of data from the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and BirdLife International found that 30% of 557 raptor species worldwide are considered near threatened, vulnerable or endangered or critically endangered. Eighteen species are critically endangered, including the Philippine eagle, the hooded vulture and the Annobon scops owl, the researchers found.