Remember the canary in the coal mine?

Coal miners used to carry a canary around with them, because the bird was an accurate indicator when something wasn’t right in the coal mine.  When the bird was not well, the miners would then head to the surface to avoid problems.

This loss of nearly 3 billion birds in only fifty years is another accurate indicator that something in the environment isn’t right.  This is our wake-up call and we need to heed this warning and take immediate actions to help our planet.

A large variety of species are affected in this loss of 3 billion birds.

It’s not just a few species that have been affected, but instead, the decline is being seen across a large variety of species.  Researchers say this is a direct result of humans altering the natural world, which we’ve done through habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, pesticide use, and climate change impacts, such as drought, fires, and increased ferocity of storms.

Pesticides that are toxic to birds can harm them directly through contact, or if they eat contaminated seeds or prey. Pesticides can also harm birds indirectly by reducing the number of available insects, which birds need to survive.

To understand how birds are faring, scientists need hundreds of thousands of people to report what they’re seeing in backyards, neighborhoods, and wild places around the world. Without this information, scientists will not have enough timely data to show where and when birds are declining around the world.

Enjoy birds while helping science and conservation: Join a project such as eBird to record your bird observations. Your contributions will provide valuable information to show where birds are thriving—and where they need our help.

Save birds and keep cats healthy by keeping cats indoors or creating an outdoor “catio.”

Birds have fewer places to safely rest during migration and to raise their young: More than 10 million acres of land in the United States were converted to developed land from 1982 to 1997.

Lawns and pavement don’t offer enough food or shelter for many birds and other wildlife. With more than 40 million acres of lawn in the U.S. alone (source), there’s huge potential to support wildlife by replacing lawns with native plantings.

Add native plants, watch the birds come in! Native plants add interest and beauty to your yard and neighborhood and provide shelter and nesting areas for birds. The nectar, seeds, berries, and insects will sustain birds and diverse wildlife.

On the outside of the window, install screens or break up reflections using film or paint.

Too few consumers are aware of the problems of sun coffee. Those who are aware may be reluctant to pay more for environmentally sustainable coffee.

Enjoy shade-grown coffee: It’s a win-win-win! It’s delicious, economically beneficial to coffee farmers, and helps more than 42 species of North American migratory songbirds that winter in coffee plantations, including orioles, warblers, and thrushes.

“If you take care of the birds, you take care of most of the big problems of the world.”

–Thomas E. Lovejoy, Honorary NAOC Chair,  Senior Fellow–United Nations Foundation