Birds Are in Decline — But the Trend Can Be Reversed

Research from ornithological institutions in North America has documented significant declines in bird populations across many species groups over recent decades. Grassland birds, aerial insectivores, and shorebirds have been among the hardest hit. The causes are well understood: habitat loss, pesticide use, cat predation, window collisions, and climate change.

The encouraging truth is that conservation works when people engage. Bird populations have responded positively to targeted protection efforts historically — the Bald Eagle and Peregrine Falcon recoveries are among the most celebrated wildlife conservation successes of the 20th century. Here are seven concrete actions you can take today.

1. Make Your Windows Bird-Safe

Window collisions are one of the largest sources of human-caused bird mortality. The problem isn't that birds are careless — it's that glass reflects sky and vegetation, making it invisible. Effective deterrents include:

  • Applying window collision tape or film in vertical strips spaced 5cm apart or horizontal strips 10cm apart
  • Using Acopian BirdSavers (closely spaced hanging cords)
  • Placing feeders either very close to glass (under 1 meter, so birds can't build speed) or more than 10 meters away
  • Applying tempera paint or soap to the outside of problem windows temporarily

2. Keep Cats Indoors

Domestic and feral cats are among the most significant human-associated threats to birds globally. Keeping pet cats indoors or providing supervised outdoor access via a "catio" (enclosed outdoor space) eliminates this risk entirely for your cat's territory. Advocating for humane trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs and managed colony care in your community helps address feral cat populations.

3. Plant Native Species in Your Garden

Native plants provide the insects that most birds — including seed-eaters, which feed insects to their nestlings — depend on. Non-native ornamental plants often support far fewer insect species. Even a small native garden patch, window box, or container planting makes a difference. Research native plant species for your specific region through local native plant societies or university extension programs.

4. Reduce or Eliminate Pesticide Use

Insecticides kill the insects that birds eat, and rodenticides (rat poisons) kill birds of prey and scavengers that consume poisoned rodents. Integrated pest management approaches — physical barriers, targeted biological controls, selective low-toxicity treatments — can manage pests without decimating the food web that birds depend on.

5. Participate in Citizen Science

Your bird observations have genuine scientific value. Platforms like eBird (Cornell Lab of Ornithology), the Christmas Bird Count (Audubon Society), and Project FeederWatch aggregate observations from millions of contributors to track population trends, range shifts, and migration timing. Your backyard list is data. Submit it.

6. Support Habitat Conservation Organizations

Land trusts, national and international wildlife organizations, and local habitat restoration groups do work that individuals cannot. Financial support — even modest amounts — funds land acquisition, habitat restoration, policy advocacy, and scientific research. Look for organizations with strong accountability ratings from independent charity evaluators.

7. Advocate for Responsible Lighting Policies

Light pollution is a significant and underappreciated threat to migratory birds. You can advocate at the community level for:

  • Lights Out programs in cities during peak migration (typically May and September in the Northern Hemisphere)
  • Downward-directed, shielded outdoor lighting that illuminates only what's needed
  • Reduced lighting of tall buildings and communication towers during migration seasons

Many cities have adopted voluntary or mandatory Lights Out policies in response to organized citizen pressure. Your voice in local government matters.

Every Action Counts

Conservation is not only the work of governments and large organizations — it is the aggregate of millions of individual choices. The birds visiting your feeder, passing over your roof on migration, or nesting in your neighborhood tree are part of a larger web of life that is genuinely responsive to human care and attention. Start with one action from this list. Build from there.