Better for Birds, Better for People

Winter can be one of the most challenging seasons across North America. Shorter days, colder temperatures, and unpredictable snowstorms often leave people feeling fatigued, stressed, or emotionally drained. While spring brings warmer weather and longer days, improving your mental health can also come from reconnecting with nature in simple, meaningful ways.

One surprisingly effective way to support your well-being is by creating a bird-friendly outdoor space. Whether you install a bird feeder, listen to birdsong, or spend time birdwatching, these small daily interactions with nature can have a positive impact on your mental health. Research published in Ecological Restoration and reviewed alongside other scientific journals in 2022 found that keeping a bird feeder, listening to birdsong, and observing birds can improve mindfulness, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being.

The mental health benefits of birds are supported by a growing body of scientific evidence. Between 20 and 40 peer-reviewed studies have examined the relationship between birds and positive mental health outcomes, while hundreds of additional studies have explored the broader connection between nature and mental health. Together, this research suggests that spending time around birds can help people feel calmer, more present, and more connected to the natural world.

Whether you’re an experienced birdwatcher or simply enjoy seeing birds visit your backyard, encouraging local bird populations can benefit both wildlife and your own mental well-being.

Diversity is the spice of life.

Why can bird feeding be a stepping stone to improved mental health?

Adding a bird feeder to a yard or garden can increase local bird diversity up to 40%! And while living with birds is a crucial step toward improved health, living in areas with greater diversity may be even more important. A study in The Lancet Planetary Health (2024) analyzed German national health data and found a significant positive relationship between bird diversity and mental health scores.

A large Canadian study published in Communications Earth & Environment (2024) found that living in a postal code with greater bird diversity, one step above the average, increased reporting of good mental health by 6.64%. Further, research from Michigan, published in Geo: Geography and Environment, linked avian diversity to population-level outcomes, finding that ZIP codes with greater bird diversity had lower hospitalization rates for mood and anxiety disorders.

And finally, in Europe, people living in areas with more types of birds tended to feel more satisfied with their lives, even when researchers considered things like how much money they had, their age, gender, health, and other environmental details. Adding bird feeders to living spaces can create the diversity needed for positive health changes.

One bird, two birds, red bird, blue birds.

All birds bring joy. However, research clearly shows that more birds can bring more joy… and more. Focusing feeder efforts to attract greater diversity this spring can bring unexpected benefits. Achieve this goal by focusing on feeders and feed that lure birds with different diets and sizes. Large feeders, like platforms, can attract birds both big and small. Small feeders with specific food types, like Nyjer®, can ensure small finches have space to feed without being bullied by larger birds.