We encounter many species of birds on a daily basis, many of which are increasingly suffering from the repercussions of human activity. The duty therefore discussed with the director of the Quebec Birds organization, Jean-Sébastien Guénette, solutions to be put in place to protect avian biodiversity.
1. Preserve habitats in terrestrial, wetland and aquatic environments
Whether wooded environments, trees planted in urban areas, wetlands or aquatic ecosystems, all are essential for preserving nesting, resting and feeding sites for different species of birds.
” This is the basis. To have a diversity of species, you need a diversity of habitats. We can think of wetlands, which are difficult to find in the Montreal region. And certain species are very specific to wetlands,” argues Mr. Guénette. “The loss of habitat is therefore one of the main threats to birds living in Quebec,” he adds, citing the repercussions of urban sprawl, the destruction of woodlands or industrial development on lands that are used by dozens of species.
This is all the more true in the south of the province, where it would also be essential to reduce the encroachment of human activity on certain lakes. “Artificial lakes are unsuitable for certain species, such as the common loon. And disturbance, particularly by boats, on these lakes, is also problematic for a bird like the loon. » Conversely, other aquatic species adapt to habitats in urban environments. This is the case of the wood duck, which can, for example, be observed year after year at the Montreal Botanical Garden.
The Quebec government has promised to protect 30% of terrestrial and aquatic environments by 2030. This rate is currently around 17%, but it is significantly lower in the southern portion of the province.
2. Reduce the use of pesticides to protect insects
Jean-Sébastien Guénette is categorical: “There is not a species of insectivorous bird in North America that is doing well. Several are in decline, such as flycatchers, swallows, nightjars and even swifts. The common cause of all these species is that they feed on insects,” he explains, adding that the list could be much longer and include different species of warblers, vireos, etc.
The most recent scientific studies point to a global decline in several natural ecosystems on the planet, including in Quebec. Beyond the research work of entomologists, Mr. Guénette cites the example of the windshield effect. This phenomenon is the one according to which we notice a drop in the quantity of insects falling on the windows of vehicles during their journeys. It has been attributed to a decline in insect populations caused by human activity.
In this context, the biologist calls for a reflection on our use of pesticides, which constitute a direct threat to the insect populations on which birds depend. He cites as an example Bti, a larvicide which attacks biting insects and which is used in Quebec in humid and watery environments “in order to reduce the nuisance caused by mosquitoes and black flies”, specifies the Ministry of Environment. “Nature comes with insects, but some people are not very tolerant,” answers Jean-Sébastien Guénette.
3. Prevent window collisions
Why do birds fly into windows? Since glass is not a natural material, they do not understand that the reflections of the trees or the sky are not real. The official figures from Environment and Climate Change Canada are revealing to say the least: during seasonal migration, no less than 70,000 birds “die every day from a collision in a window” in the country.
However, there are solutions to reduce the risks, assures Jean-Sébastien Guénette. He specifies that Quebec Birds has worked with companies to tackle the problem. Sometimes it is enough to add a film with white dots to the windows, for example, so that the birds understand that there is an obstacle in front of them.
You can also turn off the lights and close the curtains or blinds when the rooms are not in use. The biologist adds that regarding feeders, it is recommended to place them less than one meter from windows. This way, birds are less likely to hit the glass at high speed and injure themselves.
4. Address predation by domestic cats
Omnipresent in our cities, cats are also a significant threat to bird populations. “It’s an animal that has a predatory instinct,” summarizes Jean-Sébastien Guénette. A study has already shown that a domestic cat can easily kill five to six birds in a day. And this predation is the greatest cause of human-associated mortality. » It is estimated that cats kill between 100 and 350 million birds each year in Canada alone.
How can we prevent our cat from posing a constant risk to the diversity of avian fauna? The best solution is to keep your cat indoors. Mr. Guénette also points out that a domestic feline that stays in the house generally lives much longer than an animal that goes outside.
If an owner still wants to send their cat out for a walk, there are ways to reduce the risk of bird killing. In particular, there is a range of Birdsbesafe collars which are multi-colored and which help reduce hunting success. It is also possible to “set up a secure space outside for your cat or walk it with a harness,” specifies Québec Oiseaux. This is called a “catio”.
5. Take part in citizen science programs
“Before protecting birds, you must first know where they are. This is particularly the case for species at risk,” summarizes biologist Jean-Sébastien Guénette to explain the importance of the participation of citizens interested in wildlife in the identification of the species that can be observed in Quebec and the places precisely where they are observed.
This is good, he adds, since amateur ornithology has greatly increased in popularity in recent years. A new study commissioned by Québec Oiseaux from the firm SOM concludes that 37% of the Quebec population engage in this leisure activity, which would mean more than three million people.
“The birding hobby has always been growing, but I think the pandemic, and possibly tools like eBird, have really given momentum over the last four or five years,” explains Mr. Guénette. Ornithologists can share their precise observations and the timing of them. This data can then be used by scientists or conservation organizations. There is also, in Quebec, the SOS-POP program, the objective of which is to identify sites important for the conservation of birds at risk and to monitor their occupation over the years.