Water bird populations are declining. The fourth Water bird Population Estimate recently found that 44 percent of the 900 water bird species globally have fallen in the past five years. Altogether, 12 families of birds -- including storks, shoebills and plovers -- have half or more of their global populations showing a decreasing trend.

The numbers are slightly worse than 2002, when the last study was conducted. At that time, 41 percent of water bird populations worldwide were found to be decreasing.

The worst decreases occurred in Asia, where 62 percent of the water bird populations had declined or become extinct. That was followed by a 48 percent decline in Africa, 45 percent in Oceania, 42 percent in South America, 41 percent in Europe and 37 percent in North America