One of Every Eight Bird Species Facing Extinction

One out of every eight of the world's 10 000 different bird species are now threatened with extinction.

This is according to the latest expert report on bird conservation, State of the World's Birds 2004, which was to be launched at the BirdLife International world conservation congress in Durban on Monday.

Compiled by avian researchers around the globe, it brings together the most up-to-date knowledge about the status of bird populations worldwide.

"If you are concerned about birds, you have to worry more about people. Because birds, on their own, can look after themselves very well, thank you very much."