The Town of Comox Bird Friendly Team is made up of residents from across the Comox Valley who are committed to protecting local bird populations.
The team’s focus is to enhance bird populations by promoting learning and awareness about the importance of protecting birds and their habitats within our natural environment.
Working in collaboration with Nature Canada’s Bird Friendly Certification program, the Town of Comox team has been awarded the Intermediate Bird Friendly designation. More information about the program can be found on the Nature Canada website.
The Bird Friendly Team is working to meet certification criteria in three key areas:
- Addressing and Mitigating Threats
Reducing common causes of bird injury and mortality, including cat predation, window collisions, and pesticide use. - Restoring Natural Habitat
Supporting habitat restoration through planting native vegetation, removing invasive species, and protecting forests, grasslands, and shoreline ecosystems. - Outreach and Education
Encouraging residents to take meaningful actions that help reverse bird population declines and support healthy bird habitats in the community.
Check out the Comox Bird Friendly Native Plant Demonstration Garden
Why Birds?
Birds are an essential part of healthy ecosystems. They help control insect populations, disperse seeds, pollinate plants, and serve as important indicators of environmental health.
In 2019, two major scientific reports revealed a troubling trend: bird populations across North America are in significant decline. Researchers estimate that nearly 30% of bird populations have been lost in the past 50 years.
Several key factors are contributing to these declines, including:
- Habitat loss
- Predation by domestic cats
- Collisions with windows
- Pesticide use and the decline of insects
- Artificial lighting is left on at night in urban areas
Local wildlife rehabilitation centres are seeing the effects of these threats firsthand. MARS Wildlife Rescue Centre, which provides avian rescue services in the Comox Valley, reports that the top three causes of injured bird admissions are:
- Injuries from cat attacks
- Window collisions
- Vehicle strikes
How You Can Help
Residents can make a meaningful difference in protecting local bird populations by taking a few simple actions:
- Keep cats indoors or supervised outdoors
- Apply Feather Friendly® window decals to prevent bird-window collisions
- Drive slower, especially during migration seasons
- Plant native species and remove invasive plants
- Avoid the use of pesticides
- Turn off unnecessary outdoor lighting at night
Small changes at home can have a big impact on helping birds survive and thrive in our community.
If you're interested in joining the Bird Friendly Team, contact them through email at Birdfriendlycomox@gmail.com and check out the FAQs below.