Birds that rely on oceans and live on coastlines are more vulnerable to climate change than birds found in any other habitats in America, according to a report released Thursday by federal biologists and other researchers.

Terns that live on California's beaches — along with murres, auklets, puffins and other species found in offshore areas like the Farallon Islands off San Francisco — face loss of habitat from rising seas, disruption of ocean food supplies and other problems in the decades ahead as the planet continues to warm, the report found.
“There are a significant number of birds that are facing real, immediate threats,” said John Fitzpatrick, executive director of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
“Climate change clearly is going to affect some more than others.”
The “2010 State of the Birds Report,” was written by scientists from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, National Audubon Society and others organizations that research birds.
In it, scientists reviewed data for 800 species nationwide, and ranked their sensitivity to climate change based on factors including how many young they produce each year, how able they are to move to new habitats, and how unique their food and nesting needs are.
The researchers then ranked each as high, medium or low in vulnerability. Of
(Source: San Jose Mercury News)