our stories: WILDLIFE
The Sum of All Yards
The Carolina Parakeet. The Great Auk. The Heath Hen. The Passenger Pigeon. Most
of us have never heard of these birds and none of us have ever seen one.
JUNE 2016
PA R K E R C O U N T Y T O D AY
BY DEBBIE NEWKIRK
They are a part of the great diversity of birds that
once ruled the skies of North America but are now
extinct. In the 1600’s, as people changed natural
habitats, hunted and introduced invasive predators,
vast bird populations started to disappear.
By making your backyard a bird-welcoming sanctuary, each one of us contributes to replacing this lost
habitat. One backyard may not be significant, but the
sum of all backyards makes a major impact. Studies
show that birds at sites with feeders are in overall
better health with better body condition and reduced
stress levels. Birds that frequent feeders contribute
more offspring to the bird population and have a
38% higher survival rate.
Luckily for nature lovers, the hobby of bird feeding
has become one of the most popular in our nation.
Why? Simple really. Bird feeding brings nature and
beauty to our backyards. It brings the sound of song-
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birds like the warbling House Wren and bright color
like the vivid Painted Bunting. It’s a relaxing, enjoyable and fun learning experience. Becoming familiar
with the birds in our yards – their identifications,
songs and backyard behaviors – is rewarding for both
us, and our families. Feeding birds allows us to interact with the natural world right outside our windows.
Not only that, our backyard birds can help us. They
provide insect control, assist in flower pollination and
even curb weeds by eating seeds that might be undesirable in your landscape.
Creating a bird-friendly habitat and getting into the
hobby does not require a major investment. Chances
are, you already have many of the key components:
Habitat, Food, Water and Shelter.
Start with your landscaping. Native plants, shrubs
and trees within 20 feet of your feeding stations
provide shelter and secure resting places for birds,