Protecting the Birds

You can help protect wild birds in your yard by following a few simple rules. You can also protect birds on a global scale by helping to preserve their habitat.

Did you know that it is illegal to shoot most birds or to disturb their nests. Some states have a hunting season for game birds such as pheasant, ducks and quail. A license is required. Fees from hunting help preserve bird habitat.

In the U.S. the only birds that you can kill legally without a license are the Rock Pigeon, House Sparrow and the European Starling. Farmers are permitted to kill blackbirds and their relatives if they are about to damage crops.

Baby Birds & Eggs - If you find a baby bird, leave it alone or place it back in its nest. The parents are probably nearby and will continue to feed the baby bird even if it has climbed out of the nest.

Injured Birds - If you find an injured bird, you might want to call the local animal rehabilitation center and ask them for help.

Cats & Birds - The most common causes of accidental death for wild birds are cats. So keep your cats indoors.

Window Hazards - A common causes of accidental death for wild birds is flying into man-made objects (usually windows). Take steps to reduce the reflection from your windows.

Conservation - Long-term declines in bird populations are caused by loss of habitat. Wetlands are drained, forests are cut down or "fragmented" by roads and development. This happens here at home and on the birds' wintering grounds in other countries as well. Conservation organizations are working on these problems -- and could use your help!