Songbird trade threatens lesser-known ‘master birds’ with secondary extinctions: Study

Songbird trade threatens lesser-known ‘master birds’ with secondary extinctions: Study

Increasing demand for songbirds is raising the risk of “secondary extinctions” of so-called “master birds” in Southeast Asia, conservationists warn. While these birds never enter the region’s songbird singing competitions, they have unique qualities to their songs. When caged near songbirds, elements of their calls can be learned, says Vincent Nijman, lead author of research documenting their demise and director of EcoVerde Global Consulting. Th…