BANGOR DAILY NEWS • May 5, 2023
Maine’s location and diverse wildlife habitat have long made the state a hospitable home for hundreds of different bird species. But as climate change alters habitats, some birds aren’t being found here anymore — and experts say that humans need to help change that. Last month, Maine added five birds to the list of endangered or threatened species in the state, bringing the total number to 48 species of concern. An eye-opening 2019 study of North American birds found that in the previous 50 years, North America had lost nearly 30 percent of all bird species. But waterfowl are faring well in Maine, along with wading birds such as great egrets and sandhill cranes, ospreys, peregrine falcons and raptors such as the cooper’s hawk.