Eight Ways to Help Birds at Home

2. Make glass windows visible to prevent collisions

Birds cannot see glass and may collide with windows while trying to fly into reflections of the sky or trees. More than 1 billion birds die from window collisions annually in the U.S. alone, according to the US Fish & Widlife Service.

Simple ways to make glass windows visible to prevent collisions:

• Install exterior screens or mesh

• Hang evenly-spaced vertical cords outside of your window (Acopian BirdSavers kit or make your own)

• Apply privacy vinyl or patterned film

• Apply bird-friendly decals or window marker systems (like Feather Friendly or Window Alert)

• Paint your own designs (or use a stencil) using acrylic pens or Sharpie® Oil-Based Paint Markers.

4. Grow native plants

Native plants are one of the best ways to support birds long-term. They provide food, shelter, and nesting materials that local bird species evolved with. You don't need a backyard to make an impact for birds. Start by planting native plants on your windowsill, balcony, and in containers.

Native plants also require less water and maintenance once established. They provide more shades and colorful blooms and may help cut down your water bill compared to conventional lawns.

Helpful resources to help grow native plants around your home:

• A guide to converting your lawn into a wildlife friendly garden 

• Yuma Native Plant Society

• Audubon Native Plants Database and Bird-Friendly Plants FAQ

Native plants can be a little tricky to find in Yuma. The garden sections at home improvement and big box stores generally sell introduced species, not native plants. Where to find native plants:

• Yuma Native Plant Society. Contact them or visit their native plant sale at the Yuma Home & Garden Show (typically mid-January at the Yuma Civic and Convention Center).

• Yuma Nursery Supply. We are not affiliated with them but had some luck finding jojoba and brittlebush there.

• A google search of a specific native plant may show online nurseries that can ship its seeds, seedlings, or cuttings to you.

Examples of some beautiful native plants of the Yuma region:

6. Leave a little wildness in your yard

Create habitat with a little less yard work. A “messier” yard can actually be great for birds while requiring less maintenance from you:

• Fallen leaves enrich soil and create places for birds to forage

• Dead flower stalks and seed heads provide food

• Small brush piles offer shelter and nesting material

• Untrimmed palm skirts provide safe nesting habitat for some bird species

Avoid heavy yard cleanup and tree pruning during nesting season (Feb 1–Aug 31 in Arizona).

Avoid using pesticides and herbicides:

• Chemicals in pesticides and herbicides can harm birds, pollinators, pets, other wildlife and human directly or through the food chain

• Opt for organic products that break down quickly (insecticidal soap, Bt, pyrethrum)

Be especially cautious with rodent pest treatments, which are often harmful for birds:

• Avoid sticky traps (glue boards). While intended for rodents, they frequently trap innocent non-targets, like birds, bats, lizards, and snakes. Trapped animals suffer from prolonged dehydration, starvation, or injuries sustained from attempting to escape.

• Never use second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides, like Brodifacoum or Bromadiolone (in brand names like d-Con, Hot Shot, Generation, Talon, and Havoc). These widely-used poisons cause fatal secondary poisoning in birds of prey like owls and hawks after they consume poisoned rodents.

• If rodent control is necessary, choose or request for safer alternatives such as:

• Non-toxic dehydrating baits (such as RatX or MouseX)

• First-generation multi-feed baits (like Warfarin or Diphacinone) placed in tamper-resistant bait stations

• Snap traps placed safely indoors

Wildlife-friendly alternatives can also help naturally reduce pests:

• Mosquito bucket traps that are effective and safe

• Native plants that support natural predators of insect pests

Creating healthy habitats for wildlife often help control pests naturally. Birds and other wildlife consume large numbers of insects, mosquitoes, caterpillars, and rodents as part of a balanced ecosystem.

8. Engage in citizen science from the comfort of your home

Your backyard observations can help real science. Submitting bird observations in your backyard or neighborhood to citizen science platforms like eBirds or iNaturalist help researchers study bird populations, migration, and conservation needs around the world. Do it as regularly as you'd like or just...

Participate in the annual Great Backyard Bird Count. Each February, you can join bird lovers around the world in the event by:

• Spend at least 15 minutes watching birds anywhere you like (your backyard, a local park, a neighbor's bird feeder, a neighborhood walk or a favorite birding location)

• Identify and count the birds you see

• Submit your observations using eBird 

Find out when the next Great Backyard Bird Count is on our Event page under "Community Science Events".