The Birds Are Trying To Tell Us Something

In light of recent research that highlighted the decline in global bird populations, we wanted to spend some time highlighting why birds are so important and what they can tell us about our environments.  The study highlighted a net loss of 3 billion birds or 29% of overall abundance since 1970.  So why does this matter?  Birds are a known ecological indicators, which are tools for measuring change over time.  Birds act as excellent ecological indicators because we know so much about their biology and life-history traits.  They are found all over the globe in all kinds of habitats, eat a variety of foods and have a wide range of niche requirements.  If birds are in trouble, due to threats to a large range of habitats and food sources, we know that other animals, ourselves included, will also be affected.

Graphics by Cornell Birds

'Birds are indicators of the environment.  If they are in trouble, we know we'll soon be in trouble.  Roger Tory Peterson.

Scientists often use a "representative group" to assess the biodiversity in ecosystems.  Birds can give us an indication of whether a system is healthy or not.  Fully diverse ecology is necessary to support range and abundance of species when these numbers are lower than expected, it means that there is lower overall ecological diversity.  With the numbers found in the new research, the birds are declining on a massive, global scale - it meas we have work to do!  To maintain biodiversity and help ecosystems thrive so that birds can thrive too. 

 So, what can we do?

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology has outlined 7 Simple Actions to Bring Birds Back.  You can read a more detailed description of these actions here, but in short, here are steps you can take to help:

1.  Make Windows Safer for Birds:  in-store we sell a variety of products to help mitigate bird-on-window collisions, including FeatherFriendly window decals

2.  Keep Cats Indoors:  we love cats, and they live longer happier lives when they stay indoors, they are also the greatest non-native threat to bird populations

3.  Avoid Pesticides:  pesticides can impact birds directly, impact their habitat and also insects that they eat.  Try choosing organic foods and limiting use on your own property

4.  Reduce Lawn by Planting Native Species:  acres of lawn have huge potential to be real habitats that support wildlife.  Try planting a wildflower garden, which is beautiful and helpful to many species!

5.  Drink Coffee That's Good for Birds:  yes that is right!  Even your choice in morning coffee can impact bird populations, shade-grown coffees protect canopies that are important to birds.  Read more here on the ecological benefits of shade-grown coffee.

6.  Protect Our Planet from Plastic:  91% of plastics worldwide are not recycled, birds can ingest them, use them as nesting material, become entangled in them.  The threats are endless.  Reducing your personal us of single-use plastic items can help greatly.  We have a number of products in-store that can help with this including reusable grocery bags, metal straws and beeswax wraps.

7.  Watch Birds and Share What You See:  perhaps the easiest one!  We all love watching birds, and by sharing what you see you can contribute to citizen science that informs conservation efforts.

You can get a print version checklist for your own home here

Post your own efforts online and use #BringBirdsBack to be involved in the global community supporting this movement.

'Birds are important because they keep systems in balance: they pollinate plants, disperse seeds, scavenge carcasses and recycle nutrients back into the earth.  But they also feed our spirits, marking for us the passage of the seasons, moving us to create art and poetry, inspiring us to flight and reminding us that we are not only on, but of, this earth.' - Melanie Driscoll, Director of bird conservation for the Gulf of Mexico and the Mississippi Flyway

Birds matter because they give us wings.  And because if we save the birds, we will save the world. - Pepper Trail, USFWS forensic ornithologist

Birds have indicated that they need help and so do our ecosystems.  Let's all do what we can to help #BringBirdsBack



Warmly,



Heather