Neotropical Migratory Birds by BBRF

Learn about the Back Bay Restoration Foundation and how you can help to restore Back Bay for the wildlife and future generations.

Reforestation is for the Birds!

(and People, too.)

Neotropicals Need Us. Among the many benefits of reforestation is that it creates habitat for our avian friends. Our year-round resident birds require habitat, but one particular group of birds needs habitat in a more critical way. This particular category of birds is the Neotropical Migrants, which are experiencing population declines for a number of reasons, most notably habitat loss. Neotropical Migrants are birds that breed in the United States and Canada and winter in Latin America and the Caribbean. That means that they often migrate over one thousand miles!

According to the Smithsonian's Migratory Bird Center and other researchers, birds accumulate fat reserves of up to 50% of their body weight in preparation for departure, but the rigors of long distance flight require most birds to rest and refuel several times before they reach their final destination. Without places along the way that provide an adequate food supply for the quick replenishment of fat reserves, shelter from predators, and water for rehydration -- places referred to as stopover sites -- these travelers are doomed!

Save the Back Bay Stop Over! There are 361 species of neotropical birds that breed in the U.S. A large number of those species either Stop Over, or breed in the coastal forests of Virginia and North Carolina, including those in the Back Bay watershed. As you can see, our forests are very important for these birds.

You can do your part to save neotropical migratory birds by planting trees in your yard. Especially important are those trees that provide berries or insects for the migrants to eat for refueling on their travels. By planting certain trees, you will be creating favorable habitat for the migrants. The photograph above shows a natural pine forest over marsh. You can try to mimic a natural forest by following the step-by-step process spelled out on the Urban Forestry page. Its very simple to do and the benefits are enormous! Good Luck.

Urban Forestry Home

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