Scientists at Imperial’s NERC Centre for Population Biology have completed an evolutionary family tree of British birds.

This could be a useful tool for conservationists who can use it to predict which species will become threatened based on close relationship to existing endangered species.

So who’s in the crosshairs? Greenfinches and ptarmigans, while not currently in any danger, are closely related to the bullfinch and black grouse respectively, both struggling. The study also hints at bleak times ahead for the blackbird, if it follows in the footsteps of its relative the song thrush.

These extrapolations suppose that closely related species typically share physical traits and occupy similar habitats. So if one species takes a hit, those close to it are also likely to plummet.

More over on the Great Beyond blog.