Extreme Heat Is Killing Tropical Birds in Untouched Forests

Those brilliant macaws and toucans in pristine rainforests? They're dying from heat, and there's nowhere for them to escape.

A new study in Nature Ecology and Evolution found extreme heat events have slashed tropical bird populations by 25% to 38% since 1950. The saddest part? This is happening even in remote, protected forests where humans haven't touched a thing.

The Perfect Storm

Tropical regions now see ten times more dangerously hot days than 40 years ago. For birds evolved to thrive in narrow temperature ranges, these heat spikes are deadly.

"It really points to the fact that we've got to get greenhouse gas emissions sorted out," said James Watson, a conservation science professor at the University of Queensland who co-authored the study.