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Why Birds are Vital to a Healthy Planet

Birds are a critical part of the natural world. They pollinate and disperse seeds for many plants and are effective in rodent and insect control. Additionally, they recycle nutrients back to the earth, helping to balance our ecosystem.

Many people look up at birds and feel inspired. Not only for their freedom to go wherever they want whenever they want, but because of their ability to migrate.

About 4,000 species of birds migrate regularly, and their journey is fraught with peril. Birds have to fly through great discomfort, including pollution, natural disasters, cold, fear, hunger, and exhaustion. If their journeys require traversing large bodies of water or the ocean, they must fly the entire distance without stopping.

Some of the greatest threats facing birds and wildlife are: habitat loss, invasive species, pollution and pesticides.

Imagine what it might be like for an exhausted bird to arrive at its migration destination, hundreds or even thousands of miles from its origin, only to discover that the landscape had been clearcut, either for development, or agriculture.

The one choice that has the most positive outcomes is to drink shade grown, organic coffee.

How does this help birds? Shade-grown coffee provides critical habitat for migratory and native birds, while organic farming avoids the use of harmful pesticides and herbicides. Organic coffee farming also supports the health of the ecosystem by avoiding monoculture that over time, deplete the soil. Organic coffee preserves biodiversity, and protects our forests, local water sources, and the farmers who grow and harvest the beans.

Birds are Capable of Astounding Feats:

The Bar-headed goose flies the highest, up to 5.5 miles above sea level
The Arctic tern flies the farthest – clocking 50,000 miles from the Arctic to the Antarctic
The Great Snipe flies the fastest – at 60 miles per hour covering 4,200 miles
The Bar-tailed Godwit has the longest non-stop journey – 7,000 miles without eating or drinking
The Blackpoll warbler is a songbird that weighs only four ounces but nearly doubles its weight in preparation for crossing the Atlantic Ocean, a journey of 2,300 miles that takes 86 hours of non-stop flying

Birdwatching has become one of the fastest growing hobbies in the United States. With very little (or no) financial investment you can get outside, learn new things, meet new people, enjoy it year-round, and connect to the natural world. Birdwatching is forever – did you ever meet anyone who admitted to being a former birdwatcher?

Curiosity about the natural world often leads us to learn more about biology, geography, history, and even how to eat healthier and in more sustainable ways.

To continue helping birds, in addition to choosing organic, bird friendly coffee, we can provide a habitat for them by planting native flowers, bushes and trees. Avoiding pesticides and herbicides on lawns will stop killing the insects that are their food source, and having chemical-free grounds will keep our pets safe and healthy.

Birds are inspiring! What are some of the qualities they embody?

An unwavering commitment to life. The ability to overcome personal discomfort to accomplish their goal of migration. Arctic species endure some of the harshest climates on Earth, tolerating unrelenting cold while also adapting to dramatically different environments during migration.

Be a part of the solution! Contribute to a healthier planet by drinking organic coffee. You’ll be glad you did, and so will the birds!

by Kim Nagy

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