Birds need your help!
Bird populations are declining—that’s a fact. And there are lots of reasons, but perhaps the biggest is loss of habitat, both .jpg)
here in the U.S., and also in South America where many birds migrate to in winter. In fact, populations for 20 common American birds are now less than half of what they were in the 1960’s. Specifically, the Eastern meadowlark has declined an average of 81% across it’s range, the Northern bobwhite has declined over 80%, the Loggerhead shrike over 71% and the Whip-poor-will over 50% and there are many others. And water birds are declining, too, due to loss of over half our country’s wetlands. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and helpless when faced with facts like these. But every little bit of help we extend to the birds can make a big difference. Take a look at the plight of the Eastern bluebird. Bluebird populations began to decline in the .jpg)
late 1800’s and the trend continued until the 1960’s when 90% of the population was gone. Reasons for the decline were bouts of severe weather and also loss of habitat and nesting sites. Bluebirds can’t excavate their own nesting cavities and depend on old woodpecker holes and cavities in dead trees, which are becoming more and more scarce as land continues to be developed. But then, bluebird enthusiasts concerned about the problem began to mount thousands of bluebird nesting boxes and created “bluebird trails”—a series of nesting boxes placed 300 feet apart. Some now stretch for miles. And with that help, the bluebird has recovered—they’re no longer on the Endangered Species list.
late 1800’s and the trend continued until the 1960’s when 90% of the population was gone. Reasons for the decline were bouts of severe weather and also loss of habitat and nesting sites. Bluebirds can’t excavate their own nesting cavities and depend on old woodpecker holes and cavities in dead trees, which are becoming more and more scarce as land continues to be developed. But then, bluebird enthusiasts concerned about the problem began to mount thousands of bluebird nesting boxes and created “bluebird trails”—a series of nesting boxes placed 300 feet apart. Some now stretch for miles. And with that help, the bluebird has recovered—they’re no longer on the Endangered Species list.You can help our declining bird populations! There are so many simple things a backyard birder can do that will help make a difference.
Nesting boxes and cavities: 
Put up nesting boxes in your yard that are specific to native, cavity-nesting birds found in your area. Duncraft’s Guide to Birdhouses can help you determine what birds will use which nesting boxes and how to locate them. Nesting materials are also very helpful to birds.
Be vigilant in monitoring your nest boxes and make sure that invasive, non-native species such as house sparrows are not occupying them. Continue to remove their nests whenever they start new ones. House sparrows are not protected by law and their numbers are exploding.
Encourage woodpeckers onto your property by offering them food, housing and leaving dead 
trees standing. Woodpeckers excavate a new nesting hole each year, and their abandoned nesting sites are used by bluebirds, chickadees, titmice, and this tree swallow shown on the left that can’t excavate their own homes.
trees standing. Woodpeckers excavate a new nesting hole each year, and their abandoned nesting sites are used by bluebirds, chickadees, titmice, and this tree swallow shown on the left that can’t excavate their own homes. Keep your birds healthy by keeping nest boxes free of parasites. Clean out old nests each fall or early spring and disinfect them with a vinegar or bleach and water solution.
Plants for food and shelter
Landscape your yard with native plants. Too often, imported or hybridized trees, shrubs, grasses, flowers and berry-bushes offer nothing of food value to our native birds. Consult your local garden center when deciding which native plants, trees and berry-bearing shrubs are best suited to your yard—they’ll grow better and will provide food, nesting sites and more shelter for your birds. Allowing areas of your property to grow wild with native “weeds” and shrubs will also help provide food and shelter for birds, both in summer and in winter. .jpg)
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Avoid Pesticides
Pesticides are harmful to birds that ingest them, but they also kill off bugs and weeds that birds use as food. If you need to remove weeds from a walk, that’s fine, but do it with a vinegar, water and salt solution instead of deadly poisons. And if you need to remove bugs from your vegetable garden, take the time to do it by hand, rather than spraying poisonous chemicals.
Provide Water
As habitat becomes more and more fragmented, birds are needing to travel farther to obtain their most basic necessities. A bluebird may find the right nesting box in your yard, with lots of insects to eat, but if it has to travel miles to find a water source for drinking and bathing, it’s unlikely that they will nest in 
your yard. Birds that find all their necessities in one location are more likely to be successful when raising young. And water is important in winter for non-migrating birds as well, to keep their feathers clean in winter for good insulation against wind and cold. Water is easy to provide with a bird bath, equipped with a heater in winter.
your yard. Birds that find all their necessities in one location are more likely to be successful when raising young. And water is important in winter for non-migrating birds as well, to keep their feathers clean in winter for good insulation against wind and cold. Water is easy to provide with a bird bath, equipped with a heater in winter.
Provide Food while your native vegetation is maturingOffering seeds, suet, fruit, nuts and nectar will handle the nutritional requirements of any bird that might visit or live in your yard. Duncraft’s Feeder and Food Guide will help you determine which birds prefer which types of foods and how to offer them.
Just remember the three basics; food, water and shelter. As long as you supply these three things, you’ll be helping the birds. And starting small is fine—over time, you can add more plantings, nest boxes and water features as space and budget allow. As backyard birders, we may not be able to totally solve the problem of declining bird populations, but a little help from us will go a long way—and you’ll have the joy of beautiful birds singing and living in your yard.
- Posted at Friday, November 7, 2008 10:40 AM
- In Wild Bird Feeding Category | Permalink
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Thank you for this vital information. One of your best articles.
Posted by Joy on Thursday, November 13, 2008 04:22 PM
Thanks Joy!
Michelle, Duncraft
Posted by Michelle on Friday, November 14, 2008 08:37 AM
I love your products, feeders and seeds, etc. I have a certified natural habitat in my backyard and love planting trees, shrubs and perenials that provide food and shelter for wildlife. I have a small pond and plan to add another soon...
Posted by Laura on Friday, November 14, 2008 06:11 PM
Won't have any money to buy your products until next year. Love all your emails, have been saving the pictures of the birds & using them as my screen saver. Am disabled & have only my computer & tv for entertainment. Thank you again for what you do.
Posted by Constance Reagor on Saturday, November 15, 2008 09:50 AM
Excellent article. I provide all three for the birds year round. They bring me so much pleasure. I would rather buy seed, suet, etc. then things I don't really need. Thanks for all you do.
Posted by Sue Hamilton on Saturday, November 15, 2008 10:31 AM
Sue Hamilton expressed my thoughts verbatim. I will do without - just to watch the glory of nature that God provides. I am a year round feeder, provide habitat and water. And don't forget the squirrels... :-)
Posted by J Porter on Saturday, November 15, 2008 11:55 AM
A good article however there is one thing that can ruin the best backyard--a free-ranging house cat. I fed birds for over 10 years until the new neighbors moved in, let their cat roam and in one year all my birds are gone. I miss them everyday and as the owner of 2 indoor cats I really am upset by irresponsible pet owners. Perhaps someone out there has a fail-safe solution to the cat problem...
Posted by Susie on Saturday, November 15, 2008 02:15 PM
Our neighbor also has an outdoor cat. Our feeders have squirel baffles - works for cats, too. And we have plenty of hollys, and evergreens. When the birds see the cat coming, they just move off the ground and keep on feeding at the hanging feeders. The cat doesn't even bother with the birds any more- knows they are out of reach.
Posted by Bette B. on Sunday, November 16, 2008 04:10 PM
How do you qualify as a "certified natural habitat? I have 10 acres of woodland that I leave in its natural state for the birds, fox, wild turkeys and coyotes in my area. I would like more information
Posted by Diane on Sunday, November 16, 2008 06:28 PM
One way I know of to get certified is to contact the National Wildlife Federation. They have a rather extensive program for backyard habitats. Their website is www.nwf.org. Hope this helps.
Posted by Susie on Monday, November 17, 2008 01:14 PM
I also have neighbor's cats that roam around my property. It appears the smaller - birds, blue jays and cardinals - can sense when they are around and seem to avoid them. However, the morning doves are not quite as adept and I find feathers all over the place. Is there any way, other than harming the cats, to prevent this.
Posted by Alma on Wednesday, November 19, 2008 04:53 PM
Dear Alma,
I can relate to your cat predicament. This is how I handled a similar situation. I set up one of those ultasonic pest deterrents. The high pitched sound was annoying to animals and humans alike. My neighbors asked us what it was for and we explained it was to keep their cats out of our yard. The neighbor promised to keep their cats locked up...and we removed the ultrasonic annoyance. So far so good. Hope that helps, Michelle P.
Posted by Michelle on Thursday, November 20, 2008 09:57 AM