Birds and Pesticides

Swainson's Hawk. Photo: Peter LaTourette

Pesticides cause significant bird mortality each year. Of the five billion pounds of pesticides that are applied worldwide each year, 20% are used in the United States (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency [USEPA], 2004). Our assumption that because these pesticides are licensed by the federal government their use is automatically safe is unfounded.

Bird Conservation Alliance members have taken action on issues concerning pesticides. For more information and updates contact BCA Director,

Pesticides and Birds

Dictionary of Pesticide Terms

Pesticide Profiles

The Avian Incident Monitoring System (AIMS):

The Avian Incident Monitoring System (AIMS) is a cooperative program between American Bird Conservancy (ABC) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The AIMS database is a centralized source for reliable field data on lethal and sub-lethal effects of pesticides on birds.