The loss of 3 billion birds since 1970 is a crisis. Birds are indicators of a healthy, functioning ecosystem, providing important benefits such as pest control, pollination and seed dispersal. Farmers can take advantage of these services and at the same time provide birds with habitat. It is mutually beneficial for famers and birds. 

Farmland Flyways Trail: One Million Bird Boxes and Raptor Perches

Our goal is to inspire 10% of U.S. farms to join a Farmland Flyway trail, having an average of 5 nest boxes and/or perches each, leading to 1 million structures. 

We are mapping farms that adopt practices to support beneficial birds: VISIT THE MAP

When farmers provide habitat for beneficial birds and bring them closer to crops, they are increasing their farm's pest control services. Birds can help farmers keep pest insects, rodents and pest birds at bay.

How Do I Get Started Supporting Birds?

Wild Farm Alliance offers a mix of resources for supporting birds with nest boxes, perches and habitat.

Publications

• Supporting Beneficial Birds and Managing Pest Birds co-authored by Wild Farm Alliance, Dr. Sara Kross and Dr. Sacha Heath, with technical advice from UC Cooperative Extension and several farmers
• Nesting Structures for Beneficial Birds on the Farm will help you understand how to best support birds that provide pest control
• Installing Habitat to Increase Farm Diversity A step-by-step publication
• Optimizing Hedgerows for Birds Ten bird tips for consideration while planning a hedgerow
• Barn Owl Nest Box Plans 
• Songbird Nest Box Plans from Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Video Resources

• Don't Be Afraid of Birds
• Birds Nesting on the Farm (embedded above)
• Shrubby Hedgerows and Edge Habitat Increase Pest Control by Birds
• American Kestrels Save Growers Money
• Barn Owls, Boxes and Biodiversity: Keeping Rodents in Check
• Habitat Increases Birds' Pest Control Services in Walnuts
• The Power of Raptors for Pest Control
• Taking Steps to Change: Benefits from Birds and Soil Biodiversity
• Diversify Your Farm to Support Birds and Make it Safer
• Installing Bluebird Boxes for Vineyard Pest Control

Farmland Flyways Trail

Once you've added nest boxes or perches, we invite you to join the Farmland Flyways Trail Map. Visit the map to learn where the farms are and how they are supporting birds.