For The Birds of Acadiana | Wildlife Rehabilitation

DID YOU KNOW?

The three greatest anthropogenic causes of wild bird mortality in the United States...

1. DOMESTIC CATS

Domestic, free-roaming

cats are the single greatest anthropogenic cause of wild bird mortality in the United States.

DOMESTIC, FREE ROAMING CATS KILL 1.3 to 4 BILLION WILD BIRDS ANNUALLY

For over a century, ornithologists have been sounding the alarm about cats and their impacts in the environment. Whether owned, stray, or feral, roaming domestic cats have the capacity — indeed the propensity — to hunt and kill the wild creatures that we value.

2. COLLISIONS

Up to 1 billion birds are killed annually in the United States due to anthropogenic sources including collisions with
human-made structures such as vehicles, buildings, windows, power lines, communication towers, and wind turbines.

Research shows
that 54-76% of window collisions are FATAL to birds.

3. HABITAT LOSS

Millions of acres of bird habitat are lost or degraded every year due to development, agriculture, and forestry practices.

These rapidly accelerating impacts can be mitigated only through habitat restoration and protection.

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You Can Help!
Everyone can help protect migratory birds. Whether it is taking actions around your home or workplace, designing bird-friendly projects, or just taking actions that reduce resource consumption, every action is one step towards protecting migratory birds for future generations. A few simple actions that can be taken include:

Participate in citizen science bird monitoring programs (e.g., eBird, Breeding Bird Survey, Christmas Bird Counts, Urban Bird Treaties)
Reduce energy and water use
Recycle and use recycled products
Assess home and office for risk of bird/glass collisions and implement best practices
Keep cats indoors
Reduce use of chemicals in environment

Migratory birds are among nature's most magnificent resources. Their conservation is a critical and challenging endeavor for the Migratory Bird Program and all who value nature. For more information, contact the Migratory Bird Program at migratorybirds@fws.gov