Philippines has endangered birds

Philippines has endangered birds

MANILA (AFP): The Philippines has the most number of endemic bird species which are in danger of extinction, according to a nationwide wildlife report obtained here yesterday.

The Philippine Red Data Book, written by the Wildlife Conservation Society of the Philippines, noted that the country has 40 endangered bird species, more than any other country.

This includes the Cebu flower-pecker of which only four are known to still be alive, making it the most endangered bird in the world, the Red Data Book said.

An endangered species is defined as one that has a 20 percent chance of becoming extinct in 20 years.

The Data Book said the threat of extinction was due to the growing destruction of the forests which are the habitats of the birds and other wild animals, many of which are similarly endangered.