Birds of prey

Birds of prey
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Why should we protect birds of prey?

Male osprey landing at nest at the RSPB Loch Garten nature reserve
An estimated 290,000 people visit osprey-watching sites in the UK each year

There are many good reasons to protect birds of prey. A short selection of these is shown here. There are many others that could have been used, but those below briefly cover the value and the vulnerability of our birds of prey.

Birds of prey are a vital part of the UK’s biodiversity

The role of birds of prey as efficient predators and scavengers is a vital, natural part of the ecological process. We have national and international responsibilities to safeguard them, and, where we can, to bring them back to places from which they have been lost.

Bird of prey populations are susceptible to human activity

As well as being affected by habitat loss and deterioration, bird of prey populations are susceptible to pesticides and poisons in the environment (owing to their position at the top of the food web) and to illegal killing. The abundance and geographic range of most birds of prey are still at reduced levels, both in the UK and throughout Europe. Of our 15 breeding bird of prey species, 11 are classified as vulnerable in the UK, with six species also of European conservation concern.

Birds of prey are valuable indicators of the health of the environment

The fortunes of birds of prey can alert us to the state of the environment. If their populations are thriving, it generally means that there is plenty of food available and the rest of the food chain is healthy.

During the 1950s and '60s, the dramatic declines in numbers of peregrines and other birds of prey alerted the world to the damaging impact of organochlorine pesticides. Birds of prey are to the countryside as canaries were to the coal miners.

Birds of prey bring economic benefits through tourism

The widespread popularity of birds of prey means they are among the spectacular birds enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of people each year at dedicated watchpoints.

This interest in birds of prey can help local economies. For example, visitors travelling to the Isle of Mull to see the white-tailed eagles, reintroduced to the west coast of Scotland following their extinction from the UK, are estimated to contribute an extra £1.4 to £1.6 million to the local economy.

Similarly, an estimated 290,000 people visit osprey-watching sites in the UK each year. These visitors are estimated to spend an extra £3.5 million in the local economy around nine of these sites, helping to support local income and employment.

What can I do?

Birds of prey continue to be mercilessly killed, despite the fact that it is illegal and has been for decades. Please add your name to our online pledge and say 'the killing must stop'.

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Last modified: 21 May 2008

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