East Coast's saltmarsh sparrow disappearing, scientists say

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The saltmarsh sparrow is disappearing from its home on the East Coast and could be headed for extinction in as little as 50 years, say scientists whose work could help protect the little birds.

Olsen said coastal construction of structures such as roads and railways have restricted the flow of the tides to salt marshes and interfered with the birds' habitat.

Saltmarsh sparrows are not afforded special protections or protective status in the U.S. But the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species lists the sparrow as "vulnerable."