Emeritus Professor Harry Recher draws on four decades of bird research in Australia to ring the alarm bells on the decline of Australia's small birds. These are the bush birds of our forests, woodlands and suburbs, and he finds that perhaps half of their former populations and abundance have already been lost. He outlines what we can do to save the rest, and concludes that Australia's small birds are too beautiful, too precious, to lose.

Professor Recher finds that habitat loss through landclearing for agriculture and coastal development, and the grazing pressure from sheep, cattle and feral goats and camels are causing species decline, habitat degradation and biodiversity loss, compounded by drought and climate change. But Professor Recher also provides a positive vision for future bird preservation and wildlife conservation, retaining our birding pleasure and the sounds of birdsong in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane and all our cities.

Richly illustrated with photographs of rare birds, threatened species, colourful birdlife and familiar Australian birds, Professor Recher's summary of bird conservation, species decline and wildlife conservation is a call to everyone to save the birdlife that is so much a part of our lives. He shows avian research being conducted by ornithologists and birdwatchers, and explains what AWC - the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, a private conservation, not for profit non-government organisation - is doing in private sector conservation, with our support. He shows us how our Australian wildlife heritage and its environment can be saved, in national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, on our farmland, and in our green urban backyards.

If you love the sights and sounds of Australian birds - the passerines or songbirds: the honeyeaters, babblers, apostlebirds, thornbills, robins, thrushes, whistlers, parrots, finches and native pigeons of our natural environment and urban landscapes, you'll enjoy this timely video. It will help you help our birds!

Learn more about Professors Recher research on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyUmptgs4sU