15 Lesser Known Threats to Birds
The largest and most destructive threats to birds are well known: habitat loss, climate change, feral cats, window collisions and large-scale pollution, but there is a wide range of lesser known threats that kill thousands of birds annually. Together, these small threats can present a big problem for all types of birds, and understanding what can be done to counteract them can help all birders be involved in bird conservation.
Birds of all sizes can be hit by cars when drivers are unaware. Both large and small birds may feed at the side of the road on insects, seeds or carrion, and waterfowl parents often lead their young across streets to reach ponds, lakes or rivers. All of these birds are readily killed by unwary drivers.
You can help: Always be aware of wildlife at the side of the road, and slow down when birds are close to traffic lanes. If waterfowl are trying to cross the street, stop safely and encourage other drivers to let the birds pass.
Fishing line regularly gets tangled in trees and bushes near ponds, lakes and rivers, and birds are unable to see the line until they become snared in it. While struggling, the line can get draw tight around the neck or limbs, and deep wounds or amputations are not uncommon. If birds inadvertently gather the line to use while nesting, it can pose a similar threat to chicks in the nest. At sea, long lines used for fishing regularly entangle seabirds.
You can help: Always collect any fishing line you use and dispose of it properly, as well as kite string that poses a similar threat. Organize a river or lake cleanup to collect discarded lines and other litter, and oppose commercial long line fishing.
Artificial turf installed in parks, lawns and sports fields decreases the amount of viable habitat for birds, especially in urban and suburban areas where that habitat is already decreasing at an alarming rate. Many songbirds will feed in grassy areas, but artificial turf does not host any insects or seeds to support the birds.
You can help: Oppose initiatives to fund artificial turf fields in public areas and schools, and use bird-friendly landscaping in your own yard to give birds a safe haven.
Poison pellets meant for rats, mice and other undesirable rodents can be a serious threat to ground-feeding birds such as doves and quail. Ground-feeding songbirds such as finches and sparrows may also ingest the poison, and it could be transported back to nests to infect young birds.
You can help: Avoid using poison for pest control and rely on bird-safe traps instead. If poison is necessary, apply it well away from any bird feeders or nesting areas, and use it properly to avoid contaminating birds.
Weed control tarp and other types of landscape fabric are hazardous to birds when the loose, frayed edges are exposed. Birds can pull on these edges to collect nesting material, but once in the nest long strips of fabric can easily wrap around both adult and juvenile birds and result in strangulation.
You can help: Use newspapers or other biodegradable materials for landscaping rather than harsher fabrics, or take the time to groom landscaped beds to be sure fabric edges are well secured.
ATVs and similar vehicles can destroy burrowing birds' nests and kill young birds. The vehicles also kill rodents that are a food source for birds of prey. On the water, jet skis, kayaks and similar vehicles can disrupt nesting sites and destroy fringe habitats that are critical roosting and feeding areas.
You can help: Only use these types of vehicles in approved areas well away from nesting birds or delicate habitats. Support initiatives to prohibit all use in nesting grounds or during early nesting seasons.
Large scale oil spills are an obvious threat to birds, but even more insidious are small and often unreported spills and oil slicks from leaking engines or poorly maintained vehicles. Discarded motor oil dumped into a drain or sewer or spills on roadways can contaminate local waterways through runoff. Even a small drop of oil can kill birds by disrupting the insulating and waterproofing properties of their plumage, and small oil slicks can be deadly.
You can help: Report any oil spills or oiled birds you see so they can be properly cared for. Dispose of household oil appropriately, and keep all vehicles – cars, boats, jet skis, etc. – well maintained and leak-free.
Collisions with power lines regularly kill large birds such as raptors, herons and egrets, and poorly insulated power lines are responsible for the deaths of thousands of birds through electrocution.
You can help: Encourage your local power company to properly insulate and maintain power lines. Work to reduce your carbon footprint and lower your electrical use to avoid the need for additional lines.
Improperly used insecticide sprays can poison birds, and even properly applied sprays kill critical food sources for insect-eating birds such as swallows and bluebirds. Overuse of insecticides can also create poisonous runoff that will contaminate waterways and threaten waterfowl and shorebirds.
You can help: Avoid purchasing produce grown with excessive pesticide use, and avoid using pesticides in your own yard. Encourage local use of chemical-free farming and landscaping techniques.
Wind farms may seem like a superb idea for green technology, but many wind farms are placed directly in prominent migration flyways and flight routes for thousands of birds. Many songbirds, birds of prey and other migratory birds are killed by collisions with wind towers either directly or through disruption of the currents as they pass close to the blades.
You can help: Encourage extensive environmental impact studies before wind farms are built in your area, and work to reduce your carbon footprint to lower your need for the power wind farms supply.
1. Vehicles
Birds of all sizes can be hit by cars when drivers are unaware. Both large and small birds may feed at the side of the road on insects, seeds or carrion, and waterfowl parents often lead their young across streets to reach ponds, lakes or rivers. All of these birds are readily killed by unwary drivers.
You can help: Always be aware of wildlife at the side of the road, and slow down when birds are close to traffic lanes. If waterfowl are trying to cross the street, stop safely and encourage other drivers to let the birds pass.
2. Fishing Line
Fishing line regularly gets tangled in trees and bushes near ponds, lakes and rivers, and birds are unable to see the line until they become snared in it. While struggling, the line can get draw tight around the neck or limbs, and deep wounds or amputations are not uncommon. If birds inadvertently gather the line to use while nesting, it can pose a similar threat to chicks in the nest. At sea, long lines used for fishing regularly entangle seabirds.
You can help: Always collect any fishing line you use and dispose of it properly, as well as kite string that poses a similar threat. Organize a river or lake cleanup to collect discarded lines and other litter, and oppose commercial long line fishing.
3. Artificial Turf
Artificial turf installed in parks, lawns and sports fields decreases the amount of viable habitat for birds, especially in urban and suburban areas where that habitat is already decreasing at an alarming rate. Many songbirds will feed in grassy areas, but artificial turf does not host any insects or seeds to support the birds.
You can help: Oppose initiatives to fund artificial turf fields in public areas and schools, and use bird-friendly landscaping in your own yard to give birds a safe haven.
4. Rodent Poison
Poison pellets meant for rats, mice and other undesirable rodents can be a serious threat to ground-feeding birds such as doves and quail. Ground-feeding songbirds such as finches and sparrows may also ingest the poison, and it could be transported back to nests to infect young birds.
You can help: Avoid using poison for pest control and rely on bird-safe traps instead. If poison is necessary, apply it well away from any bird feeders or nesting areas, and use it properly to avoid contaminating birds.
5. Landscape Fabric
Weed control tarp and other types of landscape fabric are hazardous to birds when the loose, frayed edges are exposed. Birds can pull on these edges to collect nesting material, but once in the nest long strips of fabric can easily wrap around both adult and juvenile birds and result in strangulation.
You can help: Use newspapers or other biodegradable materials for landscaping rather than harsher fabrics, or take the time to groom landscaped beds to be sure fabric edges are well secured.
6. All Terrain Vehicles
ATVs and similar vehicles can destroy burrowing birds' nests and kill young birds. The vehicles also kill rodents that are a food source for birds of prey. On the water, jet skis, kayaks and similar vehicles can disrupt nesting sites and destroy fringe habitats that are critical roosting and feeding areas.
You can help: Only use these types of vehicles in approved areas well away from nesting birds or delicate habitats. Support initiatives to prohibit all use in nesting grounds or during early nesting seasons.
7. Oil Spills
Large scale oil spills are an obvious threat to birds, but even more insidious are small and often unreported spills and oil slicks from leaking engines or poorly maintained vehicles. Discarded motor oil dumped into a drain or sewer or spills on roadways can contaminate local waterways through runoff. Even a small drop of oil can kill birds by disrupting the insulating and waterproofing properties of their plumage, and small oil slicks can be deadly.
You can help: Report any oil spills or oiled birds you see so they can be properly cared for. Dispose of household oil appropriately, and keep all vehicles – cars, boats, jet skis, etc. – well maintained and leak-free.
8. Power Lines
Collisions with power lines regularly kill large birds such as raptors, herons and egrets, and poorly insulated power lines are responsible for the deaths of thousands of birds through electrocution.
You can help: Encourage your local power company to properly insulate and maintain power lines. Work to reduce your carbon footprint and lower your electrical use to avoid the need for additional lines.
9. Insecticides
Improperly used insecticide sprays can poison birds, and even properly applied sprays kill critical food sources for insect-eating birds such as swallows and bluebirds. Overuse of insecticides can also create poisonous runoff that will contaminate waterways and threaten waterfowl and shorebirds.
You can help: Avoid purchasing produce grown with excessive pesticide use, and avoid using pesticides in your own yard. Encourage local use of chemical-free farming and landscaping techniques.
10. Wind Farms
Wind farms may seem like a superb idea for green technology, but many wind farms are placed directly in prominent migration flyways and flight routes for thousands of birds. Many songbirds, birds of prey and other migratory birds are killed by collisions with wind towers either directly or through disruption of the currents as they pass close to the blades.
You can help: Encourage extensive environmental impact studies before wind farms are built in your area, and work to reduce your carbon footprint to lower your need for the power wind farms supply.
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