New Year’s resolutions for native birds

Okay folks, time is up! Have you conquered all of your 2019 New Year’s resolutions? Zoo Atlanta’s Bird Department sure did! Read along to learn some of the ways we went above and beyond to achieve our 2019 New Year’s reZOOlutions. 

Last January, we decided to make 2019 the year of native birds by resolving to increase public awareness of native birds, as well as become more involved in native bird conservation here on Zoo grounds. With a little help from the Multimedia, Horticulture and Education Teams, we knocked these goals out of the park. 

Take a walk through the Zoo grounds and you might start seeing spots. The birds are seeing them too! Birds don’t see glass. Instead, they see reflections of trees and sky, which can look like a clear flight path causing them to collide with glass. With some help from our friends in the Multimedia Department, we were able to exhibit bird-friendly glass on various buildings and habitats throughout the Zoo. These spots or other window treatments make windows visible to native birds and save their lives!  

Another bird-friendly addition to the Zoo is our native plant garden. The Horticulture Team designed the new garden to feature a variety of native plants that help insects and birds thrive. If you’re planning a visit, be sure to stop by on a Monday or Wednesday to learn from our Education Team about why native plants are important for the birds in our own backyards.  

Our commitment to native birds doesn’t end in 2019. Check our 2020 calendar for upcoming events that you can participate in to help our native birds! Events include The Great Backyard Bird Count, World Migratory Bird Day and much more. Want to include more birds in your 2020 resolution? Join us Sundays at 3 p.m. in The Living Treehouse for the Birding 101 Keeper Talk to learn some tips and tricks for becoming a birding pro. 
Kelsey K.
Keeper I, Birds