You Can Help Birds
There are so many different ways that your family can help protect birds. Here are some simple things you can do at home.
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1. Garden with Native Pants
Plant a garden of native plants to provide food and shelter for the local birds that visit year-round as well as the migratory birds, who make a stop twice a year to refuel and recharge. Even in a small window box, the plants you grow can make a difference for birds.
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2. Create Bird or Nectar Feeders
Using natural products like pine cones, peanut butter, and bird seed, you can give birds a nice treat and also have an opportunity to observe them.
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3. Protect Birds from Flying into Windows
Up to one billion birds die each year from colliding with glass. Make windows “bird-safe” by putting window clings or decals on windows, soap windows during migration periods, and/or put up awnings or screens.
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4. Keep Cats Indoors
Domestic cats kill millions of songbirds every year. Keeping your cat indoors is safer for birds and for your cat too!
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5. Brew a Bird-Friendly Cup of Coffee
Buy shade-grown coffee. Shade-grown areas support a diverse bird population. Some of our favorite songbirds spend their winters on coffee plantations in Central and South America.
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6. Watch Birds in Your Neighborhood
Watch birds in your backyard or local park and add your observations to help science! Visit these community science websites to learn more:
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7. Build or Buy a Bird House
Since birds have fewer housing options in the city, you can help them by making or buying a properly ventilated bird house.
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8. Reduce Pesticide Use!
Pesticides kill insects that birds eat so buy more pesticide -free produce and reduce pesticide use on your lawns.