familyservicehub Our beloved birds are in danger and need our assistance to survive. A recent study by an international team consisting of scientists from seven institutions found that nearly 3 billion birds have disappeared in the United States of America and Canada since 1970. In just 50 years, the United States and Canada have lost one third of their bird population.
Over 90% of the birds that we see in our backyards are gone. We have lost, for example, nearly 25% of Blue Jays and 50% of Baltimore Orioles.
We have seen success in restoring bird populations by using targeted conservation efforts and reducing harmful pesticides. In the last 50-years, we’ve been able to bring back waterfowls, raptors and gamebirds by reducing and eliminating harmful chemicals.
The songbirds are in need of our help. The songbird population has declined because the birds are losing their habitats. Every gardener can do their part to solve this problem. By restoring native plants, providing food, access to freshwater sources and creating nesting areas, you will create a habitat that is bird-friendly in your backyard. This will give birds a home to nest, live, eat and rest.
Native Plants: How to Restore Native Plants
Native plants are essential for birds to survive. The exotic plants that are sold in most nurseries today are beautiful, but they pose a serious threat to their survival. Native Plants are plants that grow naturally in a particular region and provide food for wildlife. Non-natives, on the contrary, are plants that have been introduced into a particular region. They do not provide food or nesting sites for birds.
Two popular landscape trees in North America are a good example. Caterpillars are a major source of food for birds. The native oak can support up to 500 different species of caterpillars whereas the nonnative ginkgo only supports 5 types of caterpillars. Chickadees, for example, need 6,000 caterpillars in order to feed one brood.
Native plants also benefit humans and the environment, as they require less water, fertilizer and pesticides. You can begin by identifying trees, shrubs and flowers in your yard if you want to restore native plants in your landscape. Find out what’s native and nonnative in your area. (See resources below). Consider replacing non-native invasive plants (which tends to dominate the landscape) by native plants which attract native insects and support pollinators. They can also provide birds with seeds and nuts.
You can identify native and nonnative plants in your area by contacting the cooperative extension service of your state. Many resources are available online. The National Wildlife Federation offers a native plants finder on their website, while the National Audubon Society has an online database of native plants (see below). Both websites can help you find trees, shrubs and flowers that are beneficial to birds, bees and butterflies.
What to Feed Birds in Each Season
A Carolina Wren is at the bird feeder. Photo by Anna Parks
Birds rely primarily on natural foods such as insects (including larvae), worms and spiders, plants (flowers, leaves and seeds), nuts and fruits. More than 100 North American bird species supplement their diets with food obtained from bird feeders. It is particularly true during the winter, when food is scarce and birds require extra energy. During the summer, some birds rely on feeders to feed their nestlings.
Planting native trees, shrubs and flowers can be a great way to provide food for birds in any season. These plants produce seeds, nectar and fruit that are edible and support insects. shrubs and trees that produce winter and autumn berries will also benefit Mockingbirds. Robins. Catbirds. Cardinals. Chickadees. Nuthatches. Woodpeckers. Blue Jays.
Bird feeders can be used to attract and support a wide variety of birds. Feeder stations can be placed at the same level as where birds eat. Low platform bird feeders are great for ground birds such as mourning doves or sparrows. Bird feeders with tubes and hoppers are good for shrub bird species like finches and cardinals. Suet feeders that are hung up high work best for tree birds such as nuthatches and chickadees.
Filling feeders with black-oil sunflower seed is an excellent choice, as it attracts a variety of birds. Finches love thistle seeds. Finches, cardinals and chickadees are all attracted to safflower seeds. Many ground-feeding bird species enjoy millet or cracked corn. Suet, fruits, and unsalted nut are favorites of woodpeckers, titmice, and nuthatches.
How to provide fresh water for birds
A Robin by a pond. Anna Parks.
One of the most important things you can do for birds is to provide a steady supply of clean, fresh water. Birds require water for drinking and bathing (dirty plumage makes it difficult to fly). You can do this by installing garden fountains and birdbaths.
The pond area should be shallow, with a gently sloped bank, or rocks, branches and other items placed in a way that birds can easily use them as ladders or perches to get into and out of water. Fountains need to have a lip that birds can use as a perch.Pesticides implicated in deaths of bees and birds
birdbaths are also shallow. One to three inches is enough for smaller birds, who could drown if water is too deep. Every few days, the water should be replaced and changed. Regularly clean the surface of your birdbath, especially if you notice green algae.
Nesting Sites: How to Create them
A Song Sparrow perches atop a broken branch of a tree. Photo by Anna Parks.
In the 1970s concerned birdwatchers, citizen scientists, and other interested parties worked together to build a trail for nesting boxes to protect Eastern Bluebirds. The birds were at risk of extinction due to the lack of nesting cavities. Thanks to their efforts, the Eastern Bluebird population has been stabilized.
Other songbirds can also be nestled. Nesting places for birds are trees, shrubs and dense foliage. Tall grasses also provide nesting areas. You can also help cavity-nesting species (such as Eastern Bluebirds and Tree Swallows) if you do not have the space to accommodate these options. You can install nest boxes to your backyard habitat.
Discover which birds will nest in your region and the type of nest boxes they need. Research the best location to install the nest box, and how to protect it against weather and predators.
Anna Parks, a Maryland-based outdoor writer, birder, photographer and gardener, is a guest author. She is a Cornell Lab of Ornithology member, as well as a member of New Jersey Audubon Ducks Unlimited and Nature Conservancy. She loves to write about conservation, travels, gardening and outdoor activities. Champagne Outdoors has more information about her.