How to Support Bird Conservation through Sustainable Birding: Tips for Giving Back

I’ve noticed that it’s not uncommon for older people to tell me how many more birds they used to see when they were younger. A recent guest of mine recounted the time when American Kestrels felt like a dime a dozen, when you couldn’t drive past three county road telephone poles without seeing another falcon.

American Kestrels have declined by close to 50% since 1973

These anecdotes are not invented exaggerations or unfounded truths. Years of breeding bird survey data have shown that bird populations in North America have faced significant declines, with an estimated loss of nearly 3 billion birds since 1970. Habitat destruction, climate change, pesticide use, and urban expansion are some of the primary factors driving this loss. Some bird species, particularly grassland birds, migratory species, and insectivores, have been hit hardest. For example, species like the Eastern Meadowlark and the Bobolink have seen dramatic population declines, along with shorebirds such as the Red Knot.

A 2019 study showed that Bobolinks have declined by 53% since 1970

As a bird guide and birder, I often wonder about what I can do to support the wildlife I have come to love so much. It turns out, birders can play a key role in reversing these trends through sustainable birding practices and conservation efforts.

Sustainable birdwatching is about observing birds in ways that protect their populations, their habitats, and promote their conservation. Here are a few ways you can help:

Support bird-friendly habitats

Try to learn something about the habitat and the diet of the birds you are observing. Are there certain species or sizes of trees that are preferred by the breeding population of Hooded Warblers in your State Forest? Can you take a photograph of a bird in the middle of its meal and attempt to identify what it’s eating? Learning as much as we can about a bird’s habitat and food resources is the first step in helping them.

Next, we can decide to support land trusts, farmers, non-profits, or extension agencies that are promoting appropriate land-use practices. Projects focused on agroforestry and regenerative agricultural can be especially helpful throughout the world.

Even blackbirds like the well-known Red-winged Blackbird are experiencing declines

Plant native plants and avoid the use of pesticides whenever possible

In your own backyard, aim for at least 2/3rds of the plants you cultivate to be native species. This will promote the generation and proliferation of the right food sources to sustain your native birds. Do the best you can to avoid the use of pesticides. There is strong evidence that neonicotinoid insecticides have caused the collapse of many insect populations, which naturally results in the loss of insectivorous birds. You can read more about these practices at www.234birds.org.

Insectivorous birds like Thick-billed (above) and Chestnut-collared (below) Longspurs are being affected by habitat loss and pesticide use

Respect individual birds  

Always be sure to follow the American Birding Association’s Code of Ethics. Avoid stressing birds, especially around active nests and breeding colonies. Think about when and how you use playback. Avoid the use of playback in heavily birded areas, for species that are rare in your area, and for threatened and endangered species. Always exercise caution and restraint when approaching birds to photograph or record them. Some species, like many owls, are not tolerant of people approaching too closely.

The Cooper's Hawk is a bird that seems to be adapting well to human habitation - perhaps because of the abundance of hanging bird feeders

Participate in citizen science

Many bird conservation projects rely on data from birders. By participating in initiatives like eBird or the Christmas Bird Count, you will contribute valuable data that helps scientists track bird populations and migration patterns.

Waterfowl have benefited greatly from land purchases through hunter payment programs like habitat stamps and duck stamps

Buy bird-friendly products

Choose shade-grown coffee and other bird-friendly certified products, which support habitats essential for migratory birds. Avoid single-use plastics, as plastic pollution can be deadly to birds and their ecosystems.

Many hummingbirds depend on tree plantations and agroforestry plots during the winter

Give back to bird conservation

Donate to or volunteer with organizations dedicated to bird conservation, such as the American Bird Conservancy or your local Audubon chapter. These organizations focus on habitat restoration, policy advocacy, and public education, all of which are vital to protecting birds.

If you are looking to book a guide, choose companies that give back a portion of their proceeds to conservation. Here at Birding Man Adventures, we donate 5% of our net proceeds to conservation projects.

As birders, we can enjoy the beauty of birds while making conscious efforts to conserve them. Hopefully, when I’m older, I’ll be telling younger people how many more birds I’m seeing on the landscape compared to my younger years. By being mindful of our actions and contributing to conservation, we can help ensure that future generations experience the wonder of wild birds.

A White-tailed Ptarmigan blends into the rocky landscape of the alpine tundra