Purchasing organically produced food supports agricultural practices that protect birds.
Birds spend a lot of time in and around agricultural fields. Pesticides and herbicides that are applied to crops can be ingested by birds both directly through berries and seeds that they eat and indirectly by consuming prey such as fish, mammals, and insects that bioaccumulate toxins. Pesticides kill not only the target pests but a broad range of insects that birds rely on for food, especially for their young. Growers that use organic practices are not putting these toxins into the environment that could harm birds or accumulate in the insects and fish that they eat. It also preserves biodiversity and insect food base for birds. A study in Finland found a correlation between organic livestock farming practices and bird abundance. Use your purchasing power to support organic farming practices. Be organic in your own garden as well!
Photo by Susan O'Donnell
Birds spend a lot of time in and around agricultural fields. Pesticides and herbicides that are applied to crops can be ingested by birds both directly through berries and seeds that they eat and indirectly by consuming prey such as fish, mammals, and insects that bioaccumulate toxins. Pesticides kill not only the target pests but a broad range of insects that birds rely on for food, especially for their young. Growers that use organic practices are not putting these toxins into the environment that could harm birds or accumulate in the insects and fish that they eat. It also preserves biodiversity and insect food base for birds. A study in Finland found a correlation between organic livestock farming practices and bird abundance. Use your purchasing power to support organic farming practices. Be organic in your own garden as well!
Photo by Susan O'Donnell
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