During spring migration, millions of wild birds make their way north – hundreds to thousands of miles in a short span of days – to feed, nest and raise their chicks throughout the Western Hemisphere. There are many actions people can take to create healthier communities for both people and birds.
Birds inspire and delight us, fill us with wonder. They do so much for us, from pollination to pest control. But birds are in trouble.
The 2025 U.S. State of the Birds report shows bird declines in almost every biome in the nation; a recent study reveals birds are declining where they should be thriving; and a 2019 paper published in Science reported a cumulative population loss of nearly 3 billion birds in Canada and the U.S. since 1970.
The good news is anyone can help – even if it’s for familiar backyard friends like the black-capped chickadee, American robin and rufous hummingbird.
American Bird Conservancy (ABC), together with other conservation organizations, encourage the following simple actions throughout the year:
- Treat a window to save a bird – Well over 1 billion birds die from window collisions annually in the U.S. alone, according to our latest study. More resources and toolkits on how to help are available at ABC’s glass collisions homepage.
- Protect birds from outdoor cats – Domestic cats make wonderful pets. But outdoor roaming cats kill approximately 2.4 billion birds every year in the U.S., making cat predation by far the largest source mortality to birds. Visit ABC’s solutions.
- Share the beach with nesting birds – Be respectful of beach birds by keeping a safe distance and avoiding single-use plastics. Or join a local beach cleanup event! More tips here.
- Keep the “kitchen” clean for birds – Our yards can be vital habitats and following a few simple guidelines can help create a safe haven where birds can flock, feed, nest and rest. Visit ABC’s bird feeding tips.
- Pass on pesticides use – Although many think insects are pests, they are a critical food for birds. Baby birds require a diet rich in insects (up to 570 caterpillars every day in the case of chickadees!). Pesticide use unleashes harmful chemicals into the environment that destroy plants and insects, and can even directly poison birds. Learn more ways on how to reduce pesticides.
- Join the Bird City Network. An initiative by ABC and Environment for the Americas, Bird City Network invites cities across the country to join the bird conservation movement and contribute to a larger effort to promote sustainability and biodiversity. Visit Bird City Network for more information about the program and how to join. To find a Bird City near you, visit the Bird City Network map.
