One in eight bird species is threatened with extinction, global study finds

Report on the state of the world's birds reveals a biodiversity crisis driven by intensive farming, with once-common species such as puffins and snowy owls now at risk

One in eight bird species is threatened with global extinction, and once widespread creatures such as the puffin, snowy owl and turtle dove are plummeting towards oblivion, according to the definitive study of global bird populations.

The State of the World's Birds, a five-year compendium of population data from the best-studied group of animals on the planet, reveals a biodiversity crisis driven by the expansion and intensification of agriculture.