Have fun and contribute to bird conservation through these great opportunities.
Volunteer to observe and record bird nesting behaviors in a 3 x 3 mile block of land. Or, report such behaviors when you see them while enjoying the great outdoors. Your information will be included in the Wisconsin Breeding Bird Atlas II and help steer bird conservation for the next generation.
Go birdwatching to raise funds for bird protection. During the Great Wisconsin Birdathon, collect pledges for finding and counting bird species during a 24-hour period of your choice. Count birds by yourself, organize a team or join guided trips. Proceeds go to the Wisconsin Bird Protection Fund.
Donating directly is an even easier way you can make a difference for birds in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin is a birder's paradise: More than 400 bird species have been recorded here, where the hardwood forests of the eastern U.S., the evergreen forests forests of the north, and the grasslands of the south and west all come together. The Mississippi River, Lake Michigan, and Lake Superior add to the bird diversity, as does our location along a major migration pathway.
Birds are an essential part of Wisconsin and we respect and celebrate our birds and other wildlife: fully 1 in 3 Wisconsin adults watch and identify birds at home and away - the second highest rate in the nation.
Birds are vital components of the natural world and in agriculture, helping control pests that damage the foods and natural resources we use every day. And birds are biological indicators -- bellwethers of changes in habitats and ecosystems - our "canaries in the coal mine."
Explore these resources to help you find the experience you're after.
Healthy bird populations depend on healthy habit. In North America and in Wisconsin, many wetland birds are showing strong population gains and grassland bird populations are showing signs of improvement. Anecdotal information and smaller surveys, however, suggest that many species continue to decline and need serious attention. Habitat loss and degradation, invasive species, environmental pollutants and environmental stressors are main factors affecting bird survival.
In Wisconsin, about 30 percent of our birds are listed as Species of Greatest Conservation Need, meaning they have low and/or declining populations. That includes 11 birds formally listed as endangered species, and 13 as threatened species.
Take simple steps on your property to help our feathered friends -- plant native trees and shrubs, provide fresh water, put out feeders and more.
An adult great horned owl and its chick at home in a tree cavity
Photo credit: Lisa Richardson
Owls are amazing! More often heard than seen, these nocturnal birds are super predators. Learn more:
The wealth of web resources make it easier to identify birds and learn more about them. Try these sites: