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Loss
of habitat is directly linked to decline in population of
birds. Each year 1 million acres in Central America alone
are lost to agriculture & development. This has forced
many neotropical migratory birds into some of the only tree
cover left, shade grown coffee farms. In fact, there have
been documented sightings of 150 different species in shade
grown coffee farms. These farms support not only the insect
life that the birds love, but are comparable to virgin forests,
with the diversity of plants & animal life they support.
Sadly, 60% of the 7 million acres of coffee lands have been
stripped since the 1970's. This involves clear cutting of
the forest and spraying a lot of chemicals to keep the coffee
plants alive.
In a society that consumes 1/3 of the world's coffee, we could
make a great difference to 250 species of neotropical migratory
birds. Ask your favorite coffee house if they carry any shade
grown coffee brands.
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Loss
of tropical rainforest.
Photo courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution.
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