10 Easy Ways to Save Birds, Starting at Home

Gardening supplies with Birdorable yard birds from North America

Happy Earth Day to everyone on the planet! Sadly, birds are in trouble. You see pigeons, geese and sparrows everywhere, but those birds have adapted to urban habitats. A great many birds, such as meadowlarks and orioles, require natural habitats. They are in danger from habitat destruction and the ever expanding range of humans. Studies by the National Audubon Society show that over 25 percent of American bird species are in serious decline. Earth Day is a great day to contemplate how you can help save our birds. Here are 10 easy things that you can do around the house to conserve our avian friends:

  1. Do you have a lawn? Shrink your lawn and go organic. Lawn chemicals kill about 7 million birds each year. Manage your lawn organically and reduce it by 25 percent in favor of plants to provide seeds and a nesting place for birds.
  2. Keep your cats inside. Estimates for the numbers of birds killed per year by household cats and stray cats in the U.S. range into the hundreds of millions. Cats kill many more birds than wind turbines.
  3. Wake up to bird-friendly coffee. Coffee grown in the shade of tree canopies, rather than on land cleared of other vegation, provides a habitat for many migratory birds such as warblers, hummingbirds and tanagers.
  4. Fill your yard with native plants to aid birds that are adapted to eating the seeds and berries of native plants.
  5. Recycle plastic six-pack rings, plastic bags and aluminum cans. Many birds die on landfills after they get stuck in plastic rings, cut themselves on metal cans or get trapped in plastic bags. By recycling plastic you prevent them from ending up on the landfill and killing innocent birds.
  6. Eat less meat. The production of beef, pork and poultry meat have a huge impact on the environment due to habitat destruction to provide more farmland for grazing cattle. It requires far more acres to produce the same number of calories of meat than of vegetables and grains. In addition, farms that are overcrowded with animals become hotbeds for diseases like bird flu.
  7. Leave a good part of your yard natural with bushes and ground cover. The more diverse your yard, the greater variety of birds and small mammals you will attract. Also, keep dead trees in your yard. Hundreds of species of birds and animals live in dead trees and feed on the insects there. Top off, rather than chop down, dead trees.
  8. Many birds die each year from crashing into windows. More birds are killed each year from striking windows than from any other direct cause of death, and the problem is growing as window sizes increase and houses get larger. Use window decals / stickers or cover your windows with blinds, awnings or shutters to minimize the reflection of the sky.
  9. Have a bird bath year-round. Birds require bathing to keep their feathers clean and flexible and to maintain healthy plumage. Bird baths also provide a safe place for wild birds to bathe and it is a reliable source of clean drinking water.
  10. Support your local bird conservation program and forest preserves. Also, educate yourself and your friends and family about birds and the importance of conservation. Go outside and take your family birding.

For more ways on helping birds check out the book 101 Ways to Help Birds (available on Amazon) by Laura Erickson. Happy Earth Day.

Birdorable Earth Day Gifts

Happy Pi Day

Today is Pi Day. Not the sweet and delicious kind, but π as in the mathematical number "3.1415926...", hence it is celebrated on March 14th, or 3/14 on the American calendar. The first Pi Day was held at the San Francisco Exploratorium in 1988 with people marching around in circles and eating fruit pies. It is a fun holiday for mathematicians and it also happens to be Albert Einstein's birthday. Here are two Birdorable Pi designs for this occasion:

Love in the Air

Valentine's Day is around the corner. Are you looking for something special for your bird-loving lover? Check out these more than twenty love-related Birdorable designs.

Birdorable Love T-Shirts

Above left: A huge crowd of totally cute Birdorable parrots and parakeets flock together to make up the heart in this original design. Macaws, Conures, Cockatiels and Cockatoos join the flock too! An original design that would make a perfect gift for any parrot lover! Above right: A cute Herring Gull is the centerpiece of this design. Surrounding the seagull are circles of hearts, blue fish, and stars. What does it mean? Who knows - it's totally cute and that's all that matters! A Birdorable exclusive cute bird design. For more great Birdorable love designs check out the "I Love" products page.

Celebrate the Holidays with a Cute Birdorable Toucan in a Santa Hat

Ah, the Keel-billed Toucan, one of nature's most spectacular birds, is all dressed up and ready to spread some holiday cheer! Our Birdorable version of this magnificent bird dons a festive Santa hat.

The Keel-billed Toucan, with its oversized, colorful bill, is native to the tropical forests of Central and South America. This striking feature isn't just a fashion statement; it plays a vital role in the toucan's daily activities, from feeding on a variety of fruits to jousting with fellow toucans. And while they may appear to be heavy, these bills are surprisingly light, thanks to their hollow structure.

What makes toucans the perfect subject for a holiday-themed design? Perhaps it's the vivid contrast of colors that reminds us of the twinkling lights and decorations of the season. Or maybe it's their playful nature that captures the fun and joy of the holidays. Toucans are social birds, often spotted in groups, and their vocal calls can be heard echoing through the forests they call home. They embody a sense of community and celebration, which resonates so well with the spirit of Christmas.

Toucan in Santa Hat T-Shirt from Amazon

Toucan in Santa Hat T-Shirt from Amazon

For those looking to bring a touch of wildlife into their holiday festivities, this Keel-billed Toucan in a Santa hat makes for a perfect gift. It's an ideal way to show your love for birds while staying festive. So whether you're a birdwatcher, a proud pet owner, or just someone who appreciates the beauty of nature, this design is sure to bring smiles and a bit of tropical flair to your winter wardrobe.

Peregrine Falcon in a Santa Hat: The Ultimate Bird Lover's Holiday Gift

The Peregrine Falcon, the speedster of the skies, has traded its usual stoic look for a dash of holiday spirit in our latest Birdorable design. Sporting a whimsical Santa hat, this formidable raptor becomes an ambassador of Christmas cheer, proving that even the fastest bird on the planet can pause to celebrate the season of joy.

Peregrine Falcons are known for their incredible hunting prowess and their breathtaking speed, diving to catch prey at over 200 miles per hour. But in this adorable rendition, the Peregrine’s fierce reputation is softened by the playful accessory, reminding us that the holiday season is a time for everyone to come together in warmth and good humor.

Wearing this cute design can spark conversations about the natural world and bring awareness to the Peregrine Falcon's conservation success story. Once endangered due to pesticide use, these falcons have made a remarkable comeback, thanks to conservation efforts around the world—a true holiday miracle worth celebrating.

Birdorable Peregrine Falcon with Santa Hat on shirt from Zazzle

Birdorable Peregrine Falcon with Santa Hat on shirt from Zazzle

This festive t-shirt is perfect for falcon enthusiasts, bird watchers, and nature lovers alike. It’s a way to express passion for wildlife, while staying in tune with the holiday vibe. Imagine the smiles and the shared stories about bird encounters that this t-shirt could inspire at holiday gatherings.

As we exchange gifts, decorate our homes, and enjoy the company of loved ones, let’s take inspiration from this Birdorable Peregrine Falcon. Let’s embrace the holiday season with the same speed and fervor as a Peregrine in flight, reaching out to make meaningful connections and creating memories that will last a lifetime.

So, whether you're searching for the perfect gift for a bird-loving friend or you want to show off your own love for falcons in a festive way, this Birdorable Peregrine Falcon in a Santa hat is sure to delight. It's a cute, fun, and meaningful way to celebrate the holidays, and who knows, it might just inspire you to learn more about these incredible birds and how we can help protect them for years to come.