World Migratory Bird Day
5 Everyday Ways You Can Help With Bird Conservation
Migration can be a dangerous journey for birds, with a variety of threats and obstacles, many caused by humans.
If you want to take some easy steps to help all birds, here are a few!
Keep your cats indoors. Did you know that the tens of millions of cats in the United States are estimated to kill
2.4 billion birds a year? Sure, cats make wonderful pets, but they’re also been evaluated to have been a factor in the
extinction of thirty three species of birds. Even if your cat is well-fed and satisfied, their predator instincts will still
cause them to hunt down birds. Killing birds isn’t the only way cats can negatively impact birds–even their very
presence as a predator can distress birds and reduce health or nest success. Keeping your cat inside–or even just
attaching a bell to their collar–could help to reduce the number of birds killed by domestic cats.
2.4 billion birds a year? Sure, cats make wonderful pets, but they’re also been evaluated to have been a factor in the
extinction of thirty three species of birds. Even if your cat is well-fed and satisfied, their predator instincts will still
cause them to hunt down birds. Killing birds isn’t the only way cats can negatively impact birds–even their very
presence as a predator can distress birds and reduce health or nest success. Keeping your cat inside–or even just
attaching a bell to their collar–could help to reduce the number of birds killed by domestic cats.
Prevent window collisions. Flying into windows is a common cause of bird death–in 2014 alone, 1 billion birds
were estimated to have died this way. Birds will often mistake a reflection of the sky or nature as a safe place to
fly and don’t notice the glass. Putting up curtains, attaching window decals, or covering the glass with specialized,
translucent tape are all ways to protect birds from colliding with windows.
were estimated to have died this way. Birds will often mistake a reflection of the sky or nature as a safe place to
fly and don’t notice the glass. Putting up curtains, attaching window decals, or covering the glass with specialized,
translucent tape are all ways to protect birds from colliding with windows.
Clean your bird feeder. Plenty of people have bird feeders or bird baths in their garden in hopes of attracting some
feathery guests, but how many people make sure they’re clean? Dirty bird feeders or water can spread disease,
but regularly disinfecting your feeder and putting in new seeds or water can help decrease this risk. If you’ve got
a bird feeder or bird bath, you should make sure your upkeep is consistent!
feathery guests, but how many people make sure they’re clean? Dirty bird feeders or water can spread disease,
but regularly disinfecting your feeder and putting in new seeds or water can help decrease this risk. If you’ve got
a bird feeder or bird bath, you should make sure your upkeep is consistent!
Reduce your use of plastic bags and bottles. Birds will often mistakenly eat plastic and get sick from this,
maybe even dying. Avoiding the use of plastic bottles and bags will help minimize the likelihood of plastic
pollution and its negative effect on birds.
maybe even dying. Avoiding the use of plastic bottles and bags will help minimize the likelihood of plastic
pollution and its negative effect on birds.
Avoid using chemicals such as pesticides and herbicides. Birds have been known to eat the pellets or
contaminated plants. This could not only outright kill a bird or have a toxic effect on health, but also affect
unborn embryos. These baby birds could then suffer from deformations or suppressed immune systems once
hatched.
contaminated plants. This could not only outright kill a bird or have a toxic effect on health, but also affect
unborn embryos. These baby birds could then suffer from deformations or suppressed immune systems once
hatched.
For more information about this, you can visit Environment for the Americas, American Bird Conservancy,
the Cornell’s Lab for Ornithology All About Birds or BRI’s website.
the Cornell’s Lab for Ornithology All About Birds or BRI’s website.
Links consulted
-By Rose Rasor (Yarmouth High School Career Explorer)
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