Risks to Birds

The City and County of Broomfield is fortunate to have a variety of active raptor populations thriving in an urban setting. The Broomfield Raptor Management Plan was created to protect and reduce disturbance to these majestic birds, especially in their nesting and breeding habitats. The plan evaluates many leading causes of raptor injury and fatality in order to understand and prevent risks to raptors. While in the Raptor Management Plan, these risks are not just applicable raptors but can be harmful to all birds. Some of the leading causes of injury and death include: vehicle collisions, window strikes, gunshots, poisoning, entanglement, removal from nests, electrocution, disease, habitat loss, predation from pets, entrapment, and chemical exposure. Read more below on how you can help to prevent some of these risks to birds and support healthy habitat throughout Broomfield.

For more detailed information on the risks to birds and other raptor-specific content, please view Broomfield’s Raptor Management Plan.

Vehicle Collisions

Vehicle Collisions are the leading cause of injury and death for raptors, which is not surprising considering the abundance of roads and cars in urban settings. To help mitigate this, drivers should exercise caution to avoid a wildlife strike. Raptors and other scavengers are often drawn to roads by roadkill, as their prey can be injured or killed by vehicles. If you spot roadkill in Broomfield, call non-emergency dispatch at 303-438-6400 to help with prompt roadkill removal. By proactively removing carcasses, we can reduce the number of birds injured or killed by vehicle strikes.

Window Strikes

Birds often crash into windows because they see reflections of the sky or vegetation, or because they can see through the glass to plants inside. While prevention methods depend on the specific building and available resources, there are several low-cost options that you can use in your home. Simple solutions like temporary window clings, stickers, or blinds can all make your home windows more visible to birds, helping them avoid collisions. The Cornell Lab has additional information on why birds strike windows and ways that you can prevent it.

Artificial Lighting

Artificial lighting can severely impact migrating birds' ability to navigate at night, as more than 80% of birds migrate after sunset using the night sky. Artificial lights can disrupt their ability to navigate and disorient them, causing them to use up critical energy and leaving them vulnerable to predators and collisions. Fortunately, simple actions can have a big impact. Shielding outdoor lights to prevent upward light emission is crucial, as is turning off lights as early as possible, especially during the spring and fall migration seasons (April-May and August-September). These measures not only help birds but also can reduce your home energy consumption and save money. The Lights out Colorado program offers guidelines for lighting.

Entanglement

This refers to when a bird is partially or completely immobilized by materials like nets, string, or fencing which leads to severe injury or death. Barbed wire is a commonly cited cause of entanglement. Fishing line also poses a significant risk, particularly for birds that frequent bodies of water, which can become tangled while fishing or collecting nesting materials. To help prevent this, fishing line waste stations are installed across popular fishing locations in Broomfield. Anglers should use these stations to dispose of their gear properly. Other items like soccer nets should be removed when not in use. You should also avoid littering, as general litter can be used by birds for nesting material, which can lead to entanglement. Assess your home for any other nets, string, or other items that could cause entanglement and remove them as quickly as possible.

Poisoning

Poisonings, including from lead and secondary rodenticide ingestion, are a major threat to raptors. Secondary poisoning occurs when a raptor preys on an animal that has been poisoned. To prevent this at your home or work, an Integrated Pest Management approach is recommended. This involves securing food sources, managing vegetation, and sealing entry points to discourage rodents. You can also encourage natural predators like owls and hawks by creating appealing habitats and using natural deterrents like peppermint oil to keep rodents away.

Predation from Pets

Cats and dogs pose a significant threat to birds. Young birds are particularly vulnerable and often unable to defend themselves or escape from pets. Outdoor cats are especially harmful; as non-native predators, they kill significant numbers of birds annually, contributing to the decline of native bird populations. Even well-fed cats retain their innate hunting instincts. To prevent your pet from harming local birds and other wildlife, it is important to keep your cats indoors, never leave your pet unattended, and always keep your dogs on leash. More information on our Household Pets Page.

Displacement

Displacing young birds a common issue when well-intentioned residents mistake fledglings for abandoned or orphaned birds. Fledglings are young, feathered birds that have just left the nest and, while they can't fly, are still under the care of their parents. They rarely return to the nest, so putting them back is unhelpful. When untrained individuals attempt to raise them, there is a significant risk of malnourishment or imprinting on humans, and possessing wildlife without a license is illegal. If you spot a young bird, the best course of action is to leave the fledgling alone. If a bird is in danger, gently move it to a safe spot nearby and keep your pets inside. Parents are likely nearby and will return to care for it. Only if the bird is truly abandoned should trained professionals be contacted to provide care. If you have questions, contact the Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center to advise.