Putting up bird feeders and nest boxes and enhancing wildlife habitat are great ways to encourage birds to use your property.  But to ensure that the birds you attract thrive, it’s essential to create a safe haven for them by eliminating common bird hazards that may be lurking on your property.

All birds face natural risks that you can’t control.  Predation, bad weather, and disease are three common threats that are part of the natural cycle of life and death for all wildlife.  But hazards caused by people can be reduced or prevented.  Take a birds-eye view of your property and see if you can eliminate any of these problems.

Habitat Removal

As land is developed, wetlands, woods, and other types of open space are often lost or fragmented.  In our own backyards, small habitats are lost when we “clean up” woods, drain small wetlands, remove hedgerows, or clear shoreline vegetation near ponds and lakes.  Strive to conserve, connect, and enhance existing habitats as you landscape your property.  Choose native trees and shrubs to provide food and shelter for wildlife.  If you own many acres, consider placing a conservation easement on all or part of your property to permanently protect significant habitats. 

Outdoor Cats

Scientific studies show that America’s 30 million outdoor cats kill hundreds of millions of migratory songbirds each year.  Feline hunters pose a serious threat, especially to young birds and nestlings.  Research shows that de-clawing cats and bell collars do not prevent cats from preying on birds.  If you insist on letting your cat roam freely, consider restricting time outside each day or limiting outdoor access to fall and winter months only.  Better yet, keep cats indoors. 

Disruption of Breeding Sites

Many people unknowingly disrupt or remove nesting sites when they clear vegetation, such as trees, shrubs, hedge rows, or fields during the spring and summer when birds are nesting.  Avoid disturbing natural areas, especially if you see nesting activity (e.g., male birds singing repeatedly from the same perch, birds carrying nesting material, constructed nests, squawking nestlings).  If you must clear woodland understory or cut back hedge rows, do so in the fall.  Also, leave fields unmowed until after July 31, when most ground-nesting birds have finished nesting.

Pesticide Use

Some pesticides can cause acute or chronic toxicity to wildlife.  Eliminating exposure is difficult since wildlife movement cannot be controlled.  Adopt an integrated pest management (IPM) program to reduce or eliminate the need for chemical solutions to pest problems.  If you hire a lawn care company, inquire about their IPM practices and seek out professionals who do not rely on a regular calendar spray program for all customers.  If you do use chemicals, read the label carefully and always follow instructions.

Window Collisions

When birds collide with glass windows on office towers and other buildings, it often results in fatal injury or immediate death.  If birds are hitting your windows, break up the reflection on the outside of the glass with a non-reflective window coating, window screens, flash tape, or bird netting.  Mount bird silhouettes in combination with other measures.  Their usefulness is limited.

Overcrowded Ponds or Feeders

Diseases are spread easily at overcrowded feeders and ponds.  If feeder birds have to jostle each other to reach the food at your feeders, add another feeder and provide ample space between feeders.  Clean up wastes and wash your feeders on a regular basis.  Store food securely to avoid contamination by rodents and discard food that gets wet or moldy.

Contact your state wildlife agency if you think that ponds are overcrowded with waterfowl, if you notice diseased or dead waterfowl, or if you suspect that water quality is degraded from overcrowded conditions.  Wildlife managers can help you assess the problem and work with you to find a solution.