Billions of birds are directly killed and injured each year across North America by human-related hazards, including outdoor free-roaming cats, collisions with buildings and vehicles, pesticides, entanglement in plastic pollution, and more. These anthropogenic sources of bird mortality have contributed to a 29% decline in bird abundance across the continent since the 1970s. To keep common birds common and prevent rare birds from going extinct, we must reduce multiple threats to birds.
Awareness of the magnitude of many of these threats to birds is low and we have limited data specific for Washington or the Pacific Northwest. This missing data could provide important local context to build support for policies and practices that improve conditions for birds. Data on bird death from diseases can also be recorded and it can be monitored and shared with relevant state or local agencies. We can begin to assemble a local dataset by using dBird.org, a free, online tool for crowdsourcing data on bird mortality.
During the 2022 Audubon Council Of Washington meeting, the Audubon chapter network in Washington resolved to become authorized users of dBird.org and promote the use of the platform among their members and within their service areas.
NCAS is now an authorized user of dBird and we will monitor and track all reports entered for Whatcom County. We encourage anyone who finds a dead or injured bird to submit a report on dBird.org. It only takes a minute. No need to download an app or create an account. dBird opens directly in your web browser, on your smart phone, tablet, or desktop. The platform is simple to use and will ask a few basic questions such as: where was the bird found, time and date of finding, what species and sex (if known), cause of injury or death (if known), and your contact information (optional). A photograph may be uploaded.
Please help us spread the word on dBird! In the near future we will have dBird information on the NCAS website and social media. Let us know if you have any questions.