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Biologists Ian Owens from the University of
Queensland and Peter Bennett from the Institute of Zoology have spent the
last five years compiling what is believed to be the world’s largest and most
detailed biological database on birds. Information has been complied so far on
3362 of the world’s 9500 known species. Owens and Bennett have used the data to
develop a computer model to identify and predict the world’s most endangered
birds. The aim of the model is to guide conservation groups in the selection of
species for protection. Owens and Bennett have devised an index based on two
main variables—”vulnerability to extinction” and “unusualness” which is
defined as importance to overall biodiversity. Of the 20 bird families falling
into the model’s highly vulnerable and highly unusual category, Australasia was
home to 12—the highest proportion of any world region. These included New
Zealand’s kiwi, the heron-like kagu of New Caledonia, and the cassowaries and
megapodes of Australia and Papua New Guinea. A technical description of the work
will appear later this year in the Proceedings of the Royal Society of
London. More information is available from Owens on
iowens@mailbox.uq.edu.au