Home Entertainment The relationship between birds and cities can be complex, and often, urbanization leads to a decline in bird populations. However, by making small changes in our behavior, we can create a more bird-friendly environment. Some ways to do this include: 1. Providing food and water sources, such as bird feeders and birdbaths, to support local bird populations. 2. Planting native vegetation, like trees and flowers, which can serve as a food source and habitat for birds. 3. Creating bird-friendly architecture, such as incorporating birdhouses or green roofs into buildings, to provide nesting and roosting sites. 4. Reducing window collisions by applying visual decals or installing bird-friendly glass, which can help reduce bird fatalities. 5. Supporting local conservation efforts, such as participating in citizen science projects or advocating for bird-friendly policies. Additionally, individual actions like: * Avoiding the use of pesticides, which can harm birds and other wildlife * Keeping cats indoors, as outdoor cats can be a significant threat to bird populations * Creating a bird-friendly backyard by providing a source of water and reducing lawn area * Supporting sustainable and eco-friendly practices in urban planning and development can also make a positive impact on bird populations in cities. By implementing these small changes, we can help mitigate the negative effects of urbanization on bird populations and create a more harmonious coexistence between birds and cities. What specific actions or changes would you like to know more about to help make your city or backyard more bird-friendly?

The relationship between birds and cities can be complex, and often, urbanization leads to a decline in bird populations. However, by making small changes in our behavior, we can create a more bird-friendly environment. Some ways to do this include: 1. Providing food and water sources, such as bird feeders and birdbaths, to support local bird populations. 2. Planting native vegetation, like trees and flowers, which can serve as a food source and habitat for birds. 3. Creating bird-friendly architecture, such as incorporating birdhouses or green roofs into buildings, to provide nesting and roosting sites. 4. Reducing window collisions by applying visual decals or installing bird-friendly glass, which can help reduce bird fatalities. 5. Supporting local conservation efforts, such as participating in citizen science projects or advocating for bird-friendly policies. Additionally, individual actions like: * Avoiding the use of pesticides, which can harm birds and other wildlife * Keeping cats indoors, as outdoor cats can be a significant threat to bird populations * Creating a bird-friendly backyard by providing a source of water and reducing lawn area * Supporting sustainable and eco-friendly practices in urban planning and development can also make a positive impact on bird populations in cities. By implementing these small changes, we can help mitigate the negative effects of urbanization on bird populations and create a more harmonious coexistence between birds and cities. What specific actions or changes would you like to know more about to help make your city or backyard more bird-friendly?

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The relationship between birds and cities can be complex, and often, urbanization leads to a decline in bird populations. However, by making small changes in our behavior, we can create a more bird-friendly environment. Some ways to do this include: 1. Providing food and water sources, such as bird feeders and birdbaths, to support local bird populations. 2. Planting native vegetation, like trees and flowers, which can serve as a food source and habitat for birds. 3. Creating bird-friendly architecture, such as incorporating birdhouses or green roofs into buildings, to provide nesting and roosting sites. 4. Reducing window collisions by applying visual decals or installing bird-friendly glass, which can help reduce bird fatalities. 5. Supporting local conservation efforts, such as participating in citizen science projects or advocating for bird-friendly policies. Additionally, individual actions like: * Avoiding the use of pesticides, which can harm birds and other wildlife * Keeping cats indoors, as outdoor cats can be a significant threat to bird populations * Creating a bird-friendly backyard by providing a source of water and reducing lawn area * Supporting sustainable and eco-friendly practices in urban planning and development can also make a positive impact on bird populations in cities. By implementing these small changes, we can help mitigate the negative effects of urbanization on bird populations and create a more harmonious coexistence between birds and cities. What specific actions or changes would you like to know more about to help make your city or backyard more bird-friendly?


Australia’s Urban Bird Population: Simple Changes Can Make a Big Difference for Threatened Species

Approximately 30% of Australia’s threatened species can be found in cities and towns, and making small changes to our urban environments can have a significant impact on their survival. From creating urban oases and planting native flowers and shrubs, to reducing window collisions and getting involved in community activities, there are many ways to support the birds living in our backyards, streets, and local parks.

The city environment can be a challenging place for birds, with temperatures often reaching up to 10C hotter than surrounding natural areas. However, by providing a reliable source of water, food, and shelter, we can help to support the local bird population. Dr Kylie Soanes, an urban ecologist at the University of Melbourne, emphasizes the importance of creating an urban oasis for birds, which can be as simple as providing a shallow dish of water or a birdbath with a few rocks and twigs for insects and small lizards to inhabit.

Creating an Urban Oasis for Birds

Providing water in dishes or birdbaths at different heights, stationed partly in sun and shade, can be an effective way to support the local bird population. According to Soanes, having a reliable source of water for birds to drink and bathe in can be a win-win situation, not only benefiting the birds but also providing a pleasant experience for homeowners. Some key highlights for creating an urban oasis include:
* Providing a shallow dish of water or a birdbath with a few rocks and twigs for insects and small lizards to inhabit
* Stationing the water source partly in sun and shade to cater to different bird species
* Ensuring the water source is safe from roaming cats and dogs
* Incorporating a few native plants, such as flowers offering nectar and pollen for insects and fruiting plants for birds to feed on

Planting a Variety of Native Flowers and Shrubs

Dr Jacinta Humphrey, an urban ecologist at RMIT University, suggests that planting a variety of native flowers and shrubs can be an effective way to support the local bird population. By getting in a diversity of plants, including ground covers, mid-storey shrubs, and trees, we can provide a range of food sources and habitats for different bird species. Some key highlights for planting native flowers and shrubs include:
* Incorporating a range of native plant species to provide a diverse range of food sources and habitats
* Including flowers that offer nectar and pollen for insects and fruiting plants for birds to feed on
* Considering the use of nest boxes, which are used by about 15% of native birds, including parrots and small birds such as spotted pardalotes

Excuse the Mess

When gardening, it’s essential to allow things to get a little messy, according to Humphrey. Instead of sweeping up or blowing away all the leaves, twigs, and bark, let some accumulate to provide habitat or nest-building construction materials. Some key highlights for creating a messy garden include:
* Allowing leaves, twigs, and bark to accumulate on the ground to provide habitat or nest-building construction materials
* Adding a few rocks, logs, and mulch to the garden to provide additional habitat and food sources
* Considering the use of small features, such as little rocks and logs, which can be used by small birds such as superb fairy wrens to jump around and dig in the mulch for insects

Window Dressing

Bird collisions with windows are common in urban areas, and can be reduced by using UV anti-collision stickers or making windows more visible to birds. According to Soanes, one solution is to use UV anti-collision stickers, which are almost invisible to humans but help birds safely navigate and avoid window collisions. Some key highlights for reducing window collisions include:
* Using UV anti-collision stickers on windows to make them more visible to birds
* Placing stickers no more than 10 to 15cm apart to make it clear to birds that there’s a barrier
* Considering the use of other methods, such as making windows more visible to birds by using netting or other materials

Beyond the Front Fence

For those without a garden or wanting to do more, there are plenty of bird-friendly community activities to try. Some key highlights include:
* Getting involved in local friends-of groups working to restore habitat in local parks or creeks
* Joining in as a citizen scientist for events such as the Aussie Bird Count or the Great Southern Bioblitz
* Considering the use of local council initiatives, such as planting on nature strips, to create more bird-friendly habitats

In conclusion, making small changes to our urban environments can have a significant impact on the survival of Australia’s threatened bird species. By creating urban oases, planting native flowers and shrubs, reducing window collisions, and getting involved in community activities, we can help to support the birds living in our backyards, streets, and local parks. As Soanes emphasizes, “It’s a really nice time of year to take stock and pay attention to just how much diversity there is in our urban environments. I think it would surprise most people, if they just stopped and sat for five or 10 minutes, how many different birds they’d be able to count just in their local area.”

Keywords:
* Urban bird population
* Threatened species
* Urban ecology
* Bird-friendly habitats
* Native plants
* Nest boxes
* Window collisions
* Community activities
* Citizen science
* Aussie Bird Count
* Great Southern Bioblitz

Hashtags:
* #UrbanBirds
* #ThreatenedSpecies
* #BirdFriendlyHabitats
* #NativePlants
* #NestBoxes
* #WindowCollisions
* #CommunityActivities
* #CitizenScience
* #AussieBirdCount
* #GreatSouthernBioblitz



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