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What you can do to keep birds safe

Keep Cats Indoors! Cats and birds are a deadly combination

cat

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


Dim the Lights for Birds at Night: Contribute to Lights Out

dark skies

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.

  • For essential lights (security and safety lighting), use motion detectors and sensors so lights only come on when you need them.
  • Don’t use landscape lighting to illuminate trees or gardens where birds may be resting.


Indoor lights:

  • Close blinds at night to reduce the amount of light from windows.
  • Reduce atrium lighting wherever possible
  • Turn off interior lighting especially on higher stories
  • Substitute task and area lighting for workers staying late or pull window coverings

BirdCast Migration Tool

  • When birds are migrating, it's time for Lights Out!  
  • Sign up for Lights Out Alerts: Migration alerts 

When converting to new lighting assess quality and quantity of light needed, avoiding over-lighting with newer, brighter technology.

Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition is an NAAS partner


Window Safety:

Bird Safe Windows

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 windowsCreate your own decals

Other shopping resource for window decals:  Decals



Project FeederWatch

Project Feeder Watch

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 foodFeeding 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?!


Bird Rehabilitation Facilities

Runnin' W Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

Image Source: Wildlife Rehab

Runnin' W Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

Runnin' W is dedicated to rehabing injured wildlife in the Verde Valley: Wildlife Rehab

One of NAAS's Support Our Birds Grants deservedly went to the Runnin' W Rehab facility because it's mission aligns with our own. They provide "... sanctuary and rehabilitation for native birds and small mammals."

If you find an injured bird: Call Billie at:  928.821.0098

FAQ:  What should I do if I see a young bird fallen out of the nest?

Upcoming Events

Northern Arizona Audubon

P O Box 1496 Sedona, AZ 86339

Sanctuary Locations:

Bubbling Ponds
1950 N Page Springs Rd
Cornville AZ 86325

Sedona Wetlands
7500 W State Route 89A,
Sedona, AZ 86336
(Inbetween mile markes 365 & 366) 

Picture Canyon
N. El Paso Flagstaff Rd 
Flagstaff, Arizona

Kachina Wetlands
2263 Utility Rd,
Flagstaff, AZ 86005

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