Humans Helping
Birds
Humanity's destruction of bird habitat both in
their winter feeding grounds in South, Central and North America and
summer nesting grounds here in the North, has resulted in the loss of
many species of birds and the decline of numbers of migrating birds.
What can you do to help?
- First, if you can, buy or borrow a pair of
binoculars and start to observe birds. Binoculars bring you so
close to the bird that you are able to clearly see its beauty,
color, patterns and behavior.
- Plant the trees, shrubs, wildflowers and weeds
the birds depend upon for food, shelter and nesting.
- Stop the destruction of their habitats: less
development or more plantings within existing and new housing
developments.
- Clean up the wetlands and protect the ponds,
streams, lakes, rivers and oceans, that birds depend on, from
pollution.
- Stop the widespread use of harmful pesticides
that kill the very insects and invertebrates all birds depend
upon. When these pesticides are washed into our rivers, lakes,
ponds and streams, they kill the fish and amphibians that many
birds depend on for themselves and for feeding their
babies.
- Provide seed and suet during the winter for
year round residents.
Questions
After reading information on humans helping birds,
see if you can answer the following questions:
1. Why are binoculars useful for observing
birds?
2. Humans have been destroying birds' habitats for
years. What can we do to help birds?
Return
to Introduction
Physical
Characteristics
Types
of Birds
Migration
and Range
Why
Birds Are Important