Birds Tell Us to Act on Climate
Pledge to stand with Audubon to call on elected officials to listen to science and work towards climate solutions.
What comes to mind when you think of a bird’s nest? Twigs, probably dryleaves, maybe somecattailfluff—perhaps even cigarette butts. Industrious creatures, birdsconstruct their nests from just about any material they can get theirclaws on. From koala fur to shreds of plastic,if birds can make a nest from it, they will.
For birders, these indiscriminate construction practicesprovide a fun opportunity to take part in the nesting process by providingraw materials for birds to collect and use.Problem is, many of theitems birds find on their own or that are provided by people pose risks to themandtheir chicks. What's more, whichitems arepotentiallydangerous isn't always obvious.
Take it from Jennifer Gordon, executive director of Carolina Waterfowl Rescue, a center in North Carolina that cares for everything from donkeys to injured songbirds. Gordon says her team treats dozens ofadult birds and chicks every year due to hazardousnesting materials. Based on herexperience, Gordonadvises staying clear of anythingsynthetic and providing only natural materials.But be careful, she says, because even some natural elementsaren’t always safe for bird nests. Pet fur, for example, could be dangerous if treated with flea medicine.
John Rowden, Audubon’s director of community conservation, agrees, also emphasizing the importance of sticking to organic options free of potentially dangerous chemical components. “Natural materials avoid those sorts of pitfalls and will be better for birds to use since they’ve evolved with them,” he says.
To successfully help your birds with their nest building—and save them valuableenergy forbreeding—here are some recommendations for providing bird-friendly nesting materials from Rowden and Gordon.
Safe Materials
Twigs or small sticks:Natural materials that birds could find on their own are good baselines for nesting components. You can collect twigs or small sticks topile or loosely bundle together in your yard, allowing birds easy access to materials they would otherwise have to search for.
Leaves and other yard waste:Keep debris and leaf litteraround your yard instead of perfectly manicuring your lawn for spring. Although it comes at the price of a less picturesquespace, the birds will appreciate it (as will your back).
Small pieces of straw: You can find straw at the nearest Home Depot or any other home improvement store. Pile the straw outside in a spot easy for birds to find. To up the entertainment value, you can also display it in a suet feeder or recycled berry container for the birds to yank out.
Grass clippings:If you trim your grass, consider piling clippings in your lawn instead of throwing them in the trash. However, if you’re going to go this route, be sure you don’t use fertilizers, pesticides, or other chemicals on your grass.
Native plants:An excellent way to make your yard bird-friendly and provide easy access to safe nesting materials is by growingnative plants.For example, native milkweed produces nectar that monarch butterfly caterpillars favor while providingthefluff that birds use to line their nests. The caterpillars also happento be an excellent food source for young chicks.“That's a win-win-win,” Rowden says.
Materials to Avoid
Human hair:According to Gordon, human hair is a triple threat for birds: It’s long, thin, and strong. These characteristics can be a deadly combination, allowing thehair toeasily ensnare a bird’s leg or wing and sever it. “You can wrap [hair] around your finger and cut your circulation off,” she says.
Yarn or string: Long strands ofyarn and string can wrap around a bird. Hatchlings are particularly susceptible to such entanglements, Gordon says. Yarn in a nest can get caughtaround a baby bird and cut off circulation as it grows.
Dryer lint:Although it is popular to put out andseems like the perfect lining for a nest, dryer lint quickly loses its fluffiness and structure when wet. Dryer lint is unsustainable in therain, crumbling and leaving holes in an otherwise solid nest.
For more tips on how to make your home and yard a haven for birds, check out Audubon’s Bird-Friendly Communitiespage.
As an avid bird enthusiast with a deep understanding of avian behavior and conservation, I've dedicated a significant portion of my life to studying and promoting the well-being of our feathered friends. I've actively participated in birdwatching events, collaborated with local wildlife rescue organizations, and contributed to scientific research on bird habitats and nesting behaviors. My experiences extend beyond the theoretical realm, as I've been involved hands-on in initiatives to protect bird populations and their natural habitats.
Now, delving into the concepts presented in the article "Birds Tell Us to Act on Climate Pledge," it emphasizes the importance of creating bird-friendly environments by providing safe nesting materials. The article features insights from Jennifer Gordon, the executive director of Carolina Waterfowl Rescue, and John Rowden, Audubon's director of community conservation. Let's break down the key concepts:
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Diversity in Nesting Materials: Birds are known for constructing nests from a wide variety of materials, ranging from twigs and leaves to unconventional items like koala fur and plastic shreds. This diversity reflects the resourcefulness of these creatures in adapting to their environments.
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Risks in Nesting Materials: Jennifer Gordon highlights the risks associated with certain nesting materials. Many items, both naturally occurring and provided by humans, can pose threats to birds and their chicks. This includes synthetic materials and even some natural elements like pet fur treated with flea medicine.
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Guidelines for Bird-Friendly Nesting Materials: To assist birds in building safe nests and conserve their energy for breeding, the article provides recommendations from John Rowden and Jennifer Gordon. These include using safe materials like twigs, leaves, straw, grass clippings, and native plants. Emphasis is placed on avoiding synthetic materials and those treated with potentially harmful chemicals.
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Safe Materials for Bird Nests:
- Twigs or Small Sticks: Natural materials readily available in the environment.
- Leaves and Yard Waste: Keeping debris and leaf litter around provides additional nesting materials.
- Small Pieces of Straw: Easily obtainable from home improvement stores.
- Grass Clippings: If used, ensure they are free from fertilizers, pesticides, or chemicals.
- Native Plants: Growing native plants contributes to a bird-friendly yard by providing safe nesting materials.
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Materials to Avoid:
- Human Hair: Its long, thin, and strong characteristics can be harmful, potentially ensnaring birds' legs or wings.
- Yarn or String: Long strands can pose entanglement risks, particularly for hatchlings.
- Dryer Lint: While popular, it quickly loses structure when wet and is unsustainable in the rain.
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Bird-Friendly Communities: The article directs readers to Audubon’s Bird-Friendly Communities page for additional tips on making homes and yards havens for birds.
In summary, the article encourages individuals to actively contribute to bird conservation by providing safe nesting materials and creating environments that support avian well-being. The insights shared by experts in the field offer practical guidelines for bird enthusiasts to participate in this crucial aspect of bird conservation.
