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Each spring and fall, billions of birds take to the skies on extraordinary migratory journeys. Many of these flights happen overnight, guided by the stars and moonlight. But their path is increasingly obstructed by one major threat we can actually do something about—us. From light pollution to reflective glass, our cities are full of hazards for our feathered friends.

Luckily, small changes in our everyday lives can have a big impact on bird survival. Here’s how you can help protect migrating songbirds right from your own home.

🌙 1. Turn Off Your Lights at Night

Between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., especially from mid-March to May and again from early September to October, consider flipping the switch. Migrating birds rely on the night sky to navigate, and artificial lighting can disorient them, leading to collisions or throwing them off course. The glowing skyline many of us love can be deadly for birds—many are lured toward city lights and end up trapped in urban environments, often surrounded by reflective glass.

Researchers estimate over a billion birds die in window collisions each year in the U.S. alone. Turning off unnecessary lights helps reduce that risk.

🐦2. Make Your Windows Bird-Safe

Birds don’t recognize reflections the way we do. When they see the sky or trees reflected in a window, they often think it’s safe to fly through. Sadly, these collisions are frequently fatal.

At zoos and in city buildings with lots of glass—like skywalks or modern office structures—this is a common issue. Many use “Feather Friendly” dots or other decals to break up reflections and make glass visible to birds.

A fun, low-cost alternative? Paint the outside of your windows with soap or tempura paint. A group of students once decorated their classroom windows after witnessing a bird strike—and their colorful, welcoming art helped prevent future crashes.

🌿 3. Plant for the Birds

If birds are going to share our cities, let’s give them a reason to stay. Urban habitats can offer refuge if we build them with wildlife in mind.

Plant native trees and shrubs that produce fruits, berries, and support insects and arthropods. These provide essential food sources for foraging and nesting. A bird-friendly water feature (think shallow, moving water—not a chlorinated fountain) can also offer hydration and a bathing spot. And please—skip the pesticides. These chemicals harm the insects birds rely on and can seep into waterways, damaging aquatic ecosystems too.

🐱 4. Keep Cats Indoors

It might surprise you, but the leading cause of bird deaths in the U.S. is predation by domestic cats. Outdoor cats—whether feral or beloved pets—kill an estimated 2.4 billion birds every year. Fledglings are especially vulnerable as they’re just learning to fly.

Keeping your cats indoors keeps them healthier and safer—and helps save birds’ lives, too.

☕ 5. Choose Bird-Friendly Coffee

Did you know your morning cup of coffee could help save birds? Look for the Bird Friendly® certification, which ensures the coffee is grown under tree canopy and with farming practices that protect bird habitat.

Most migratory birds spend just a portion of their lives in the U.S.—many winter in Central and South America. So protecting their homes abroad is just as critical as protecting their flight paths here. Supporting sustainable farms helps both birds and farmers thrive.

Migration Dashboard

Explore nightly migration data in your region!

Small Steps, Big Difference

Birds connect continents, ecosystems, and people. With just a few conscious actions, we can make our cities friendlier for them—and ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy their songs and aerial displays.

So tonight, turn off that porch light, let your cat curl up inside, and listen closely. There might be a warbler flying overhead, grateful for the dark sky.