How can I help the wild bird population thrive?

Question

With all the new buildings and other areas being used instead of having as much trees and vegetation around the place, what can I do to help the wild bird populations from being extinct? I feed wild birds now, but is there anything else I can do?

Answer 1

1.  Food (feeders)

2.  Water (bird bath)

3.  Shelter (bird houses)

4.  Keep domestic cats indoors.  This should probably be number one on the list.  Outdoor cats kill millions of songbirds and other native animals every year.   Cats are native to Africa.  Anywhere else, they are a threat to the environment.

5.  Respect laws that are enforced to protect our native wild birds.  

6.  Volunteer at a wildlife rehabilitation center.  One of the best ways to get a great education about nature and wildlife.

7.  Consider a career in wildlife conservation.

8.  Support wildlife organizations (Audubon), and your local wildlife rehabilitators with cash donations.

9.  Don't poison the environment.  Avoid the use of pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals outdoors.  Always choose environmentally safe products.

Answer 2

Aside from what the first poster said (which is an EXCELLENT list I wouldn't want to take away from), if you live in a house with a backyard, you could plant native plants.  Native plants attract native insects, which attract native insect eating birds.  The more vegetation you have that they can use (as cover, as homes, as food, as attraction for their source of food), the more space they have to thrive.  Or even just beneficial plants, too.

For example, along with a feeder (for thistle, regular wild bird seed, hummingbirds, and suet), we also have a lot fo plants that attract insects and hummingbirds.  I've seen Phoebe's (which are insectivores), wrens, even woodpeckers at my house that I never saw before, and Robins love to dig around in the soil of our garden looking for worms.