Bird Populations Decline in Quintana Roo’s Maya Zone, Academics Warn

José María Morelos, Quintana Roo — Bird populations across the municipalities of Quintana Roo’s Maya Zone have been declining for the past 15 years, according to Vianney Janice Cupiche Herrera, head of the Department of Sustainable Development at the Universidad Intercultural Maya de Quintana Roo (Uimqroo). She said more research is needed to put firm figures on the drop.

In an interview, the academic blamed deforestation and climate change for the loss of habitat on which these species depend. The reduced presence of birds in the area is already noticeable, she said.

Cupiche pointed to a study of bird populations at various sites in Felipe Carrillo Puerto that began in 2011, which has already detected variations in those populations. The data, however, is not yet sufficient to extrapolate wider numbers.

“A certain decline has indeed been detected in species richness — that is, the number of species present — and in abundance, meaning the number of individuals of certain species. A decline has been detected,” she said.

The Quintana Roo jungle has endured long periods of drought over the past decade and a half, which may be a factor in these changes, along with habitat deterioration caused by poor management of the forest and deforestation.

With too few specialists monitoring birds, Uimqroo is seeking to work with researchers in Canada to install recording devices that can identify the birds by their songs.