Wild Birds in Farmlands
Wild birds can be a mixed blessing for farmers. Although birds devour the bad bugs, they also eat the good ones, as well as the crops too. Regardless, it's still possible to create a harmoneous environment for farmers and birds, bringing out the best in both. But is it possible on ALL farms?.. And is it worth the time?
For the most part, wild birds are thought of as being a nuisance, and even destructive to farm crops. However, it is in fact possible to optimize a farm for the benefit of farmers to allow, and even encourage wild birds to become residents.
But how is that possible when birds seem to have more potential for destruction than the ability to help. The destructive nature of birds falls in line with their survivalist nature, and being so tenacious, there are several ways in which they are not beneficial to farms.
- Fruit Trees - Various species of fruit-eating birds are detrimental to fruit trees because they peck and eat the hanging fruit. Flocks of pigeons, crows and starlings descending on a field can devour seedlings and crops.
- Vegetables - Birds can be destructive to vegetable farms by eating seeds, pulling up young seedlings, and damaging ripening produce. Many growers note that while birds eat harmful insect pests, they can simultaneously ruin high-value crops like corn, peas, and leafy greens.
- Pathogens - Birds of all types can also harbor pathogens that pose a risk to human health when they show up in food. They contaminate crops by defecating with their droppings which can carry harmful bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli. This becomes a risk in contaminating produce destined for supermarkets. It's a problem that farmers have to think about when making a deal with birds, especially with all of the different ways that each species interacts with a farm. It's a give and take arrangement. See a list of detrimental bird species
- Infrastructure - Moreover, there's physical damage birds can cause to farm infrastructure. Sparrows or starlings nesting in eaves can clog gutters and ventilation. Pigeons roosting in grain stores leave corrosive droppings on machinery.
Can farms can be optimized for a supportive environment between farmers and birds?
Is it possible for farmers and birds to co-exist in a supportive environment?
Yes, wild birds and farmers can be supportive of each other when farmland is optimized for both. If we look at just the good things birds do, the list is a good one..
- Farmers can appreciate insect-eating birds because they eat bugs that damage crops. Wild birds help
save crops by ingesting the insects that otherwise consume and destroy crops. Birds eat harmful
caterpillars and beetles which reduce the need for chemicals. Birds eat these and other bad insects that
eat and destroy crops, seeds, and seedlings.
Predator birds like to eat mice and rats, saving farmers time and money to exterminate them. Rodents are a common problem on farms, and one family of owls can catch and consume a significant number of rodents every month. - When birds defecate on the surface the ground, their feces fertilize the soil and provide nutrients to plant roots.
- When thinking of the most common pollinators, people usually think of honey bees, but did you know birds aid in the pollination of plants too? Birds help to pollinate farm crops like apples, bananas, blueberries, strawberries, melon, peaches, potatoes, vanilla, almonds, coffee and chocolate. Pollination of flowering plants is common among a few special avian types, and one example is the smallest bird in the world - the bee hummingbird. A few other notable pollinators are sunbirds and spidereaters, both are relatively small in size with very long bills. https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/general-information/initiatives-and-highlighted-programs/peoples-garden/importance-pollinators
- When it comes to doing their part in nature, birds help to keep weeds under control through the constant ingestion of weed-seeds, weed-blossoms, as well as the insects that live on them.
How can farmland be optimized for harmony?
- Plant native vegetation - Grow native trees, shrubs, and blossoming plants to provide food for birds. Planting various plants will ensure a year-round supply of food, as well as allowing wild plants to grow freely. Vegetative structures are used by birds for nesting, feeding and perching.
- Be good to the soil - Moist soil encourages trees, shrubs, and grasses to grow, and this in turn helps birds.
- Supply a body or water - You can do this by building your own pond, or simply mount a bird bath in an open area. Bird baths usually double for bathing and drinking.
- Snags - A snag is a dead or dying tree that is still standing, and sometimes the roots and truck
are anchored in water. Many forms of wildlife will take advantage of a snag, as almost every part of a
dead tree can be used by wildlife. A variety of wildlife will use snags and downed logs for nesting,
foraging, roosting, perching, or creating territorial boundaries. Snags are not very common in working
agricultural spaces because farmers usually cut them down to prevent injury and free passage for
livestock, fences and equipment. However, they are more common in adjacent areas near farms.
A snag isn't always just a standing log. Sometimes it has dry branches and twigs that are still in place, acting as protection for birds and allowing them to see food at a distance. Raptors are good examples, and they do their part for farmers because raptors like to catch and eat rodents. Since snags don't have thick leaves, the raptors can easily see food at a far distance and fly in and out of the branches to take off and land easily. - Install enclosed birdhouses and platform birdhouses - Add man-made bird structures in multiple locations within the perimeter of your farm property. Distance them about 100' feet away from each other.
Farmers generally have a conflict of interest with wild birds. The same birds that eat the bad insects are also eating the crops. Ultimately, farmers have the option to stop birds from becoming resident birds, or optimize their farm perimeter for birds and crops to co-exist. This takes time and effort to optimize.
