Big Bluestem Audubon Society

1. Lights Out

Bright nighttime lights confuse migrating birds, leading them off course and into deadly collisions. Find out how you can reduce light pollution and protect birds:

• Audubon's Lights Out Program – Overview of nationwide efforts to reduce light pollution for birds
• BirdCast's Lights Out – Why dark skies matter for birds and how simple changes can save lives
• Lights Out Heartland – Regional campaign encouraging safe outdoor lighting

2. Go Native

Birds thrive where native plants grow—offering natural food sources and safe nesting places. Here’s how to create a bird-friendly yard with native plants:

• Bird-Friendly Iowa Guide to Landscaping for Birds (interactive)
• Iowa State University Extension: Landscaping for Wildlife – Tips on using native plants to attract birds and other wildlife

Support native habitat everywhere:Choose bird-friendly products like shade-grown coffee to help protect natural habitats around the world.

3. Safe Windows

To a bird, a clear window looks like open sky—until it’s too late. Try these simple solutions to prevent bird-window collisions:

• All About Birds: Why Birds Hit Windows – What you can do to make windows safer for birds
• National Audubon Society: Simple Solutions to Prevent Collisions – Practical tips for reducing bird collisions with glass
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Preventing Bird-Glass Collisions at Home – PDF guide with strategies to make your home bird-friendly

4. Cats Inside

Outdoor cats kill an estimated 2.4 billion birds a year in the U.S. alone. Keeping cats indoors protects birds—and helps your cat stay healthy and safe, too!

• All About Birds: Outdoor Cats and Their Effects on Birds – FAQs on the impact of free-ranging cats on bird populations
• American Bird Conservancy: Cats Indoors Program – Resources for keeping cats safe while protecting wildlife

5. Food, Water, Shelter

Birds need the basics just like we do—food, water, and shelter can give them a vital boost. Learn how to provide these essentials in your yard:

• ISU Extension: Attracting Birds to Your Yard – Strategies for designing a backyard oasis for birds
• Iowa DNR: Bird Feeding 101 – Tips on attracting birds and maintaining feeders in Iowa
• Iowa City Bird Club: Feeding Schedule – Monthly guidelines for feeding birds in Iowa

6. Avoid Pesticides

Pesticides poison the insects birds eat and sometimes the birds themselves. Discover alternatives to pesticides and how to maintain a bird-friendly yard:

• American Bird Conservancy: Protect Birds from Pesticides – Information on how pesticides affect birds and what you can do
• Good Neighbor Iowa – Learn how pesticides harm children, pets, pollinators, and wildlife, including birds, and what you can do instead

Avoid plastic, too! Plastic litter is a significant threat to birds. Reduce your plastic waste by choosing reusable or eco-friendly alternatives.

7. Spread the Word

The more people who know, the more birds we can help—so let’s spread the word together!

• Talk with neighbors about keeping cats indoors, planting native species, or preventing window strikes
  • Print and share this handout about making your home & lifestyle bird friendly
• Invite a friend to join you in attending a bird walk, native plant sale, or community presentation
• Share bird-friendly tips on your neighborhood social media page or local Facebook group
  • Double the impact: Bird-friendly is pollinator-friendly!
• Speak up for bird-friendly policies: Ask your city council or HOA to support bird-friendly policies like Lights Out during spring and fall migration
• Inspire young people by introducing them to birds or encouraging schools and libraries to offer bird-related programs
  • Iowa Young Birders
  • How Young Environmentalists Can Help Birds
• Lead by example with a bird-friendly yard – and let others know that Ames, Story County, and the State of Iowa are committed to becoming better places for birds!

Photos by Laura Beskow