Some coffee-growing methods are harmful to bird populations and ecosystems. When farmers use bird-friendly practices, they help protect our feathered fellow creatures and fight climate change. Bird-friendly coffee is a win for all.     

If you’re one of the millions of people sipping a cup of coffee each morning, you might want to check the package of your favorite bean. Does it say “bird safe” or “bird-friendly”? If so, sip easy. The people who grew those beans used practices meant to preserve bird habitats.

Don’t see anything about birds on the label? Read on and we’ll give you the details and make it easy to pick a bird-friendly brand. 

How coffee farming affects birds—and why it matters

Coffee production can significantly impact bird populations, particularly in areas where the crop is grown.

In the 1970s, researchers began to study the impact of coffee farming on bird populations in Latin America. They found that traditional coffee farming methods, which involved clearing forests and planting coffee in full sun, was devastating to bird populations. Many bird species that were once common in these areas, such as the Baltimore Oriole and the Cerulean Warbler, became endangered or disappeared altogether.

According to The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, “From the 1970s to the 1990s, more than 60 percent of Colombian coffee lands were cleared of forest as new varieties of sun-grown coffee were planted. During that same period, populations for many Neotropical migrant species plummeted—a drop many scientists say is related to deforestation of the birds’ wintering areas across Central and South America.”

And the thing is, coffee does not require full-sun, treeless spaces in order to grow. Again quoting The Cornell Lab: “When the Dutch introduced coffee to the New World in the 1700s, it was a forest-floor crop grown under an overhead tree canopy.” And now many farms are returning to shade-grown planting. 

Birds, trees, and humans are all connected

When scientists learned of the connection between coffee farming, deforestation, and bird health, several organizations responded and developed bird-friendly certification programs for coffee, which aim to promote sustainable farming practices and protect bird habitats.

And though it should be enough to say that birds are important—full stop. We know that some will still ask why it matters.

Birds are pollinators and habitat builders. They keep insect and rodent populations in check and spread seeds. They are deeply entwined with local habitats and a delight of sound and color.  And bird population declines go hand in hand with deforestation which we know is a key player in climate change. 

In short, the health of birds, trees, humans, and the planet are connected. And as the species doing the farming and consuming, we have a critical role to play in keeping us all safe. 

What is bird-safe and bird-friendly coffee?

The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center's Bird-Friendly Coffee program offers one way for coffee growers to certify their product is safe for birds.

To earn the certification, experts visit the farm and assess the coffee plants, shade trees, and the overall landscape.

To be certified as bird-friendly, coffee farms must:

• Have a minimum of 40% shade cover: This means that they grow the coffee plants under a canopy of trees that provide habitat for birds and other wildlife.

• Not use synthetic pesticides: Pesticides can be harmful to birds, other wildlife, nearby waterways and even the air. Bird-friendly coffee farms must use organic or natural pest management practices.

• Support native bird populations: Bird-friendly coffee farms must provide habitat for native bird species by incorporating features such as birdhouses, nest boxes, and other structures that encourage nesting.

• Protect forest habitat: The coffee farms must conserve forest habitat on their land and support reforestation efforts in the surrounding area.

When a coffee farm certifies as bird-friendly, it means that they seek to operate in an environmentally sustainable and socially responsible way. And these farmers also earn the ability to sell their products in markets that offer premium prices. Again - it’s a win-win. 

How you can help ensure your coffee is bird safe

The easiest way to ensure your coffee is bird safe is to look at the packaging. For those certified by the Smithsonian program, you’ll see the “bird-friendly” label. They also have a list of retailers on their website.

But even if you don’t see the bird-friendly label, do a little digging. Some farms may use bird-safe practices without going through the Smithsonian’s more rigorous standards. And some common brands, like Peets,  offer some varieties that have the certification as well as other certifications, such as the Rainforest Alliance, which helps farmers build sustainable action plans for their farms. You might also see a label on some brands that says “shade-grow “ another sign that the farm protects trees and birds. 

With millions of daily drinkers, coffee consumers have a lot of power to change the way the plant is grown, processed and sold. The more we choose bird-safe, shade-grown, and sustainable options, the more the industry will respond with better practices. 

And that is absolutely for the birds.