What you can do to keep birds safe

In the US Alone, 2.4 Billion Birds Are Killed by Outdoor Cats Annually (ABC Birds)

A study revealed almost 1.3 to 4 billion birds are killed by cats annually. Not too long ago, we talked about numbers in millions. Today, we’ve moved beyond that. Even if we take the low spectrum of numbers from the world cat population and, say, 300 million cats, and if only a quarter of those cats catch a bird each day, that number is astronomical over a year at 2,735,000,000.

How many birds do cats kill annually?

Love your cat? We know you do!  Follow these links to keep your cat and birds safe - a win/win. 

Check out the American Bird Conservancy's ABCs for cat owners including a Solutions for Pet Cats: "Catio": ABC solutions

Also see recent article (2024) about responsibly taking your cat outdoors. 

According to the latest data, 624 million birds die annually from glass collisions in the US. 

Outdoor lights:

• Turn off all nonessential lights from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. each night during peak migration.
• • All outdoor lights should be directed downward – eliminates horizontal glare
  • Turn off exterior decorative lighting
  • Extinguish pot and flood-lights
  • Use lighting shields to direct light downward and avoid light shining into the sky or trees.

Image Source: NYC Audubon

FeatherFriendly has window treatments and partners with National Audubon Society to help raise awareness of how businesses and homeowners can stop bird deaths from collisions.  "We now see billions of fewer birds than we did only half a century ago. Urban development poses risks to birds, with approximately 1 billion birds dying in North America from window collisions each year alone.4 Migrating birds unfamiliar with their surroundings are unable to see exterior window glass in their search for habitat." Crisis

View this gallery of DIY/Residential projects that keep the skies safer for birds:  residential gallery

Make your windows bird friendly with NYC Audubon's suggestions:  Bird-friendly windows, Create your own decals

Other shopping resource for window decals:  Decals, 

Sign up to become a FeederWatcher: All about Bird Watching from home

What, when, where, how to feed birds. Learn from the experts at Project FeederWatch:  Bird food, Feeding birds FAQs

Can't birds feed themselves?  During summers with a lot of plant and flower growth, they don't need supplemental seed. However, during very cold winters they do need our assistance with food. In periods of high heat and drought, your running water can be a lifeline to thirsty birds.  If a summer feels particularly brutal to you and you see birds "panting", they can use supplemental water sources. Plus, you can enjoy watching them bathe!

Can't feed birds yourself? Donate to our "Seed Fund". We maintain the Armchair Birding feeders in the winter when birds need the most from us. Our volunteers diligently stock the feeders so that wintering sparrows and other species can make it through the cold weather. 

Join us for our many "Big Sits" at Dead Horse State Park and learn about local species as you relax. Why not let the birds come to you?!