What would it be like without the pleasant sound of birds singing? This is unimaginable, yet their numbers are declining and scientists are concerned. Their importance transcends their vocal abilities. Many birds eat insects and also assist in pollination of plants. The decline in their numbers is indicative of a decline in the health of our environment.
Hazards for Songbirds
Urban areas present many hazards for songbirds. A significant number are killed or injured each year from collisions with windows in high rise buildings. Reflections in the glass fool the birds into thinking that they can pass through. Even at night, city lights can be a distraction, causing disorientation in birds particularly when they are migrating.
Loss of their natural habitat is another very important factor. This may be grassland, forests and wetlands needed to forage and for nesting.
Bridget Stutchbury, a York University biologist states, “The eastern half of North America is an urban obstacle course, with fewer and fewer places where birds can refuel quickly enough to get to their summer grounds in time to reproduce. Add rapid habitat loss in the birds’ wintering grounds, and it’s not surprising that migratory bird populations are crashing”.
Protective Measures for Songbirds
Minimize pesticides and use of chemicals in the garden. These can be hazardous to the bird population.
Create an enticing habitat for birds in your backyard, large or small. Birds need spaces to land and obtain food on their migratory paths. Growing native plant species, berry producing shrubs and trees, and reducing the expanse of lawn to incorporate meadow plants, are ways each individual can assist our songbirds. Some plants to be considered to attract birds are serviceberry, Pagoda Dogwood, sunflower, elderberry, snowberry, fireweed, river birch, bottlebrush grass, partridgeberry and highbush blueberry.
Birdfeeders will assist birds when food is in short supply such as in winter months. Different bird species may have preferences as to what they like to eat. A good quality mixed seed that includes black-oil and striped sunflower seeds, millet and cracked corn will appeal to a wide variety. In order to attract specific species find out what type they like before putting in a feeder.
Shelter is essential for the protection of birds. A birdhouse or nesting box for small birds such as chickadees and nuthatches, gives them both protection and security. Trees and shrubs, as mentioned above, also provide shelter.
Offering a water source such a birdbath or small pond will assist birds. They need water not only for drinking, but also to bathe and help them maintain healthy feathers.
Purchase certified bird-friendly, shade-grown coffee. Many birds over-winter in Central and South America. Shade-grown coffee is sustainable and bird-friendly. Supporting these enterprises will ensure that the habitat for migratory birds during the winter months will be preserved.
Obtain further information from The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) or Creating Habitat In Residential Areas and Parkland (CHIRP).
References
Banks, Brian, “City Lights”, ONnature, Spring 2010
Kress, Stephen, “The Best Ways to Attract More Songbirds to your Property”, The Audubon Society Guide to Attracting Birds, Cornell University Press.
Langston, Laura, “last call?”, Canadian Gardening, Special Issue, Annual 2009
Brigitte Straub - My years as a registered nurse have provided the opportunity to acquire indepth knowledge about health related matters. In addition, I ...
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