Protect the Pollinators: Why Birds Matter and How You Can Help Them.

Just as there are many species of birds, there are many ways to protect local and migrating bird species from window collisions. And the team at Feather Friendly® team is here to help you access the resources you need to not only prevent bird collisions, but also educate others on bird collisions. Whether you are part of an organization, an avid bird watcher or are simply concerned about the declining bird population, our team is committed to helping individuals of all ages participate in making their home or office bird safe.

Remember, bird conservation is about more than preventing bird-building collisions—it’s also about communicating the many ways in which birds contribute to our society. If you want to take action against bird collisions, but aren’t sure where to start, spreading the word about why birds matter can help your community recognize the effects that declining bird populations will have on our cities and ecosystems.

No matter where you are on your bird conservation journey, we’re sharing a few ideas, including some tips from the experts at Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the CSA Group, to help you connect with the natural world and advocate for birds across the continent.

Why We Should Help Birds.

Birds contribute far more than just the occasional chirps and whistles to our world—our feathered friends are responsible for rich biodiversity, economic growth and even some of our favourite foods and drinks, too. In an article published by the Country Folks Grower, experts noted that while some farmers, producers or growers may regard birds as pests, roughly “65% of birds present on farms during their non-breeding season are omnivores and insectivores,” which means that, in most cases, these birds can actually assist farmers in controlling insect populations. And if controlling insect populations doesn’t seem like a big deal, researchers have noted that, in some cases, “simply increasing the diversity of birds present on the farm can decrease pest levels in crops, and sometimes increase crop yields too.”

In addition to helping humans protect their crops, various species of birds, including hummingbirds, help to pollinate the plants and flowers that will eventually become our food. In fact, the U.S. Department of Agriculture notes that “one out of every three bites of our food, including fruits, vegetables, chocolate, coffee, nuts, and spices, is created with the help of pollinators.” And the economic and gastronomic contribution that birds and other pollinators (like bees) make is substantial. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that the ecological service provided by pollinators is valued at roughly $200 billion USD per year. The 2016 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting & Wildlife-Associated Recreation also showed that, in conjunction with other wildlife-related activities, bird-related tourism has generated over $80 billion dollars for the U.S. economy.

Monetary concerns aside, protecting local and migrating bird species can help to better our lives in a variety of unique and complex ways. Birds and birdwatching can not only improve mental and physical health, but also support clean water initiatives, as well as the value of your home.

How to Help Birds at Home and at Work!

If you’re struggling to kick-start your own conservation journey, outfitting your windows with bird deterrent markers is one of the best ways to keep local and migrating bird species safe!

Poster Courtesy of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Feather Friendly® residential and commercial products are designed to drastically reduce deadly reflections without impacting your view outdoors. Using a premium cast vinyl and scientifically proven spacing pattern, our at-home solution is easy to use and install.

Homeowners can enjoy 16 square feet of coverage per 100ft roll and over ten years’ worth of window collision prevention in each DIY kit. And, if you own a large office or commercial building, our team has the experience to help you design and install a large-scale commercial project.

Do you want more information on how to keep birds safe? Check out the resources below, which you can find on our website and through other websites that support bird conservation!

1. The CSA Bird Friendly Building Design Standards: As part of our ongoing commitment to education surrounding bird conservation, we’ve sponsored two years’ worth of free, view only access to the Canadian Standards Association A460:19 Bird-Friendly Building Design Standard. This standard serves as a valuable resource to people across the globe who are interested in making buildings bird safe. To learn more about the standard, check out our blog post and register for free today!
2. Seven Simple Actions to Help Birds: Our friends at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology put together a list of seven simple ways to help birds around the world. In addition to window collision prevention, this list offers a wealth of resources that can help you participate in bird conservation in a variety of fun and engaging ways, including citizen or community science projects and purchasing bird-friendly products, like shade grown coffee!

Make Your Mark on Bird Conservation Today.

Our team believes that preventing bird collisions should be easy and accessible—you shouldn’t have to be a scientist or even a bird lover to protect bird species. And Feather Friendly® is eager to assist individuals in building and maintaining bird-friendly lifestyles and habits one DIY kit at a time! Start advocating for the birds in your neighbourhood by purchasing your kit today.