Science magazine North America's birds are disappearing from the skies at a rate that's shocking even to ornithologists. Story here. Birds ranging from the iconic meadowlark (l.) to the common house sparrow (below) are being hit. PinP photos.

United Nations News Centre Yellow-headed blackbird. PinP photo. As an estimated 50 billion birds commence their annual migrations, the critical staging areas they need to complete these journeys continue to be degraded or are disappearing completely, the United Nations today warned on this year's World Migratory Bird Day.  Details here. Brush-clearing on a Manitoba farm. PinP photos.