Blue jay flying in a clear blue sky

Let’s Make Buffalo a Bird-Friendly City

Imagine a city where birds soar safely, sing freely, and raise their young in peace. A place where nature and neighborhoods live in harmony. That’s the future we’re building—right here in Buffalo and Western New York.

We all have a part to play in protecting the birds we love. From planting native gardens to bird-safe windows, to turning out non-essential lights at night, every small action adds up to a safer, healthier home for birds—and for us.

From dark skies initiatives to bird-friendly glass and application, our panelists will cover a range of topics and practical solutions to help build cities where birds can thrive — one building, one light, one action at a time.

Presentation Topics:

  1. Bird-Friendly Cities & Urban Planning:
    • Tim Beatley, Teresa Heinz Professor of Sustainable Communities, University of Virginia & Author, Bird-Friendly Cities
  2. The Importance of Bird-Safe Glass
    • Jim Cubie, Founder and Co-Director, ornithology center.com and birdfriendlyyards.net
  3. Lights Out Buffalo: A Business & Conservation Win
    • Bill Massaro, Board Member, Buffalo Audubon Society
  4. Bird Migration & Backyard Conservation
    • Tom Kerr, Senior Naturalist, Buffalo Audubon 
  5. How You Can Help
    • Ed Sirianno, Executive Director, Buffalo Audubon

We all have a role to play in cultivating a bird-friendly city

Birds play a vital part in our ecosystem—one that we can protect and preserve by ensuring their living environments are supportive and help them thrive.

Bird-Friendly Buildings

Windows and bright lights can cause confusion for birds and lead to fatal collisions.

a light bulb icon with lines coming off it to indicate light

Lights Out Program

Reduce threats to birds in flight by turning off lights between 11 p.m. and dawn, or by using a dimmer.

Native Plants

Planting native supports nature’s balance—sustaining pollinators and insects, which work their way up the food chain.

Eliminating Rodenticide Use

Rat poison use continues to disrupt the food chain by threatening the survival of owls, hawks, eagles, and other birds of prey.

Predator Control

Free-roaming cats account for the extinction of 63 species of birds, mammals, and other small animals.

Help us meet our goal!

Every dollar you give enables us to support communities in cultivating bird-friendly programming and infrastructure that helps birds thrive, and helps our region achieve the official bird-friendly designation.

Thank you for your support!

Goal: $10,000
2%

Together, we can promote a safer environment for birds

Our experts at Buffalo Audubon Society have compiled a list of best practices to help make your home or business a place where birds can thrive.

A blue lazuli bunting perched on a post
Photo by Bill Annis, Buffalo Audubon Society
Geese flying with trees and sunlight in the background
Photo by Bill Annis, Buffalo Audubon Society

Meet our Sponsor: Buffalo Audubon Society

Buffalo Audubon Society leads and inspires Western New Yorkers to connect with and protect the natural world through bird-focused activities, advocacy, and habitat restoration.

Buffalo Audubon Society has launched the Bird-Friendly Buffalo movement to help raise awareness and guide communities with practical solutions to build a city where birds can thrive.

Join the Community!

Connect with others throughout Buffalo who are working to cultivate a more bird-friendly city.

Find us on Facebook:

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Cover image by Gerhard Crous on Unsplash