Save the Song Birds

A study*, published September 2019 in the journal Science, found that the population of breeding birds in Canada and the US has dropped by nearly 30% (or 3 billion birds) since 1970.

While there are some discouraging findings about overall bird populations in the study, there are encouraging examples of how galvanized human effort can work to bring back our birds. Examples include Raptors (+200%), Waterfowl (+56%) and Woodpeckers (+18%).

Wild Birds Unlimited has a long history of providing educational information, products and services that directly support local and migratory song bird populations. You can indeed make a difference – in your own backyard. Here are a few actions you can take to help #SaveTheSongBirds:

Make Windows Safer for Birds: The windows in our homes and offices can be hazardous for birds. Birds cannot readily distinguish the presence of a pane of transparent glass from an unobstructed space or passageway and often fly into window panes causing injury or death. Click here to learn how you can make windows safer for birds. One of the best products on the market is Feather Friendly® Window Markers, available at WBU Ottawa. We also have Window Alert Decals, which we recommend replacing every few months as the UV coating, which the birds see and deters them from collisons will fade over time. 

Keep Cats Indoors: Cats are a danger to song birds, and for that reason you should never allow your kitty outside with free access to birds and other wildlife.Provide your cat hours of entertainment by setting up a bird feeding station outside with a comfortable indoor viewing area. Go here to learn more.

Plant Native Plants: Scientists have identified habitat loss as the biggest reason for the decline in bird populations. Native plants are adaptable to our weather conditions. You can create a bird and wildlife friendly habit in your own backyard, attracting a greater number and variety of birds.  Offer a consistent, reliable supplemental food source in the form of a bird feeder filled with a quality bird food, supply water and shelter year round. Creating a bird feeding station with a variety of foods and various bird feeders will bring you many hours of bird watching enjoyment. Your yard can help #SaveTheSongBirds.

Drink Bird-Friendly Coffee: You may not realize it, but the coffee you drink can have an impact on bird populations. Look for bird-friendly, shade-grown coffees and you’ll be helping to preserve native forests birds depend on for survival. Birds and Beans Coffee, triple certified - Organic, Fair Trade, and Shade Grown is available in-store. 

Watch Birds: The simple act of watching the birds in your own backyard can help. When we are more aware of the creatures around us, we care more and do more to protect them. Wild Birds Unlimited can help you enjoy the birds by attracting them to feeders in your own backyard. We are also proud to create opportunities for bird watching in millions of backyards across North America through our sponsorship of the Great Backyard Bird Count and Project FeederWatch.

Eliminate Pesticides: The use of pesticides in your yard can harm birds both directly (through poisoning) and indirectly (by reducing their natural food supply). We encourage you to be mindful of this when maintaining your lawn. Additionally, our WBU seed blends do not contain fillers, which means a reduction in pesticide use across thousands of acres of crops.

Recycle Plastics: Reducing plastic use and recycling are critical to a healthier environment. Our WBU EcoTough and other recycled plastic products make use of plastics that would otherwise end up in landfills. Additionally, our store sells products that can help you be more environmentally sensitive. We encourage you to spread the word about how we can all help. Be sure to share this information and use the hashtag #SaveTheSongBirds.

*The study is a collaboration between avian and conservation scientists, led by Ken Rosenberg from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and American Bird Conservancy.