Songs of Disappearance features birdsongs of 53 of the rarest species in Australia on the brink of extinction.
Two positives: This entire album of whistles and screeches from Australian birds made history by entering the Top Five ARIA album charts, surpassing Mariah Carey and ABBA. (Bird calls are popular!); and sale proceeds are being donated to BirdLife Australia’s conservation efforts (so buying it’s a simple way to help).
The inspiration for the Songs of Disappearance project was a landmark extinction report from BirdLife Australia authored by more than 300 of the most knowledgeable bird experts in the country.
Stephen Garnett is one. He says 96 of the nation’s 314 most threatened birds have become more endangered over the past decade. And: Greenhouse gas emissions will have to be reduced if species like golden bowerbirds (Track 7 on the album), which are being hit by climate change in North Queensland, are to be saved long-term.
Clearly, it’s time to make a song and dance about our disappearing Aussie birds.
