There are common traits among mammal and bird species facing extinction, scientists say

When it comes to animal and plant extinction, humans are the number one cause. Key points: Scientists have investigated the traits that make some animals more likely to be listed as endangered Most at risk were bird species that grow fast and have lots of offspring; and mammal species with long turnover times between generations In Australia, mammals with medium body sizes are most at risk due to feral cats and foxes Whether directly through habitat destruction and overharvesting, or indirectly through introduced pests and climate change, we're driving what is often described as an extinction crisis. Foxes and cats create critical size range in Australia Ecologist and threatened species researcher April Reside said body size appeared to be a key factor in whether Australian native mammal species were likely to be threatened with extinction. "Habitat alteration has impacted Gouldian finch, black-throated finch, squatter pigeon, golden-shouldered parrot, probably buff-breasted button quail, and of course the paradise parrot — the only mainland bird extinction in Australia was a grass-seed-eating parrot." "We can use the relationships we found to identify the species that are potentially at risk based on their life history traits," Dr Che-Castaldo said.