Magnolia Warbler. Roshan Patel

Buy coffee that’s better for birds

66% of Americans drink coffee daily yet don’t know that most coffee is grown in ways that destroy bird habitat. Vast swaths of forest have been cleared in coffee-growing areas in Central and South America, where many Wisconsin songbirds winter. This loss of habitat is one reason nearly 30% of North America birds have vanished since 1970.

The good news is some coffee is grown in ways that protect bird habitat. Bird Friendly® Certified Coffee is the gold standard, available online and in limited locations in Wisconsin. Certified organic coffee is the second best option. We share more below about why and how to buy a brew that’s good for birds.

Bird Friendly® Certified Coffee is the gold standard, available online and in limited locations in Wisconsin

The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center developed their Bird Friendly® coffee certification in the 1990s to help protect bird habitats. This coffee meets the highest environmental standards and is the best choice to help birds. All Bird Friendly® certified coffee farms provide wildlife habitat that has:

At least 10 tree species and 3 distinct layers of tree canopy;
A minimum of 40% shade coverage;
Tree height of 40 feet or more;
No synthetic pesticides or chemicals used
See the Smithsonian’s comparison of its certification to others

Buy online or get a subscription to have coffee delivered to your door

Browse the Smithsonian Bird Friendly website listing of 150+ Bird Friendly coffees to purchase online.

Birds & Beans Coffee is a popular brand, an SOS Save Our Songbirds partner, and offers discounted shipping when you get a weekly, bi-weekly or other subscription delivered to your door.

Buy in a store

These Bird Friendly® certified brands are sold in Wisconsin.

Birds & Beans Coffee

Spirit of the North Gift Shop in the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center in Ashland
Wildbird & Backyard in Appleton
Wild Birds Unlimited in Green Bay

Whole Foods Market Organic Early Bird Blend

Whole Foods Market Organic Early Bird Blend can be found online and at Whole Foods stores in Madison, Milwaukee and Wauwatosa. *The packaging was redesigned in 2023 to remove the Bird Friendly® seal but the coffee retains the certification.

Watch a webinar answering the question, what is Bird Friendly coffee and how is it different than other coffee?

Organic coffee is the second-best choice and widely available

Coffee typically can’t be farmed without shade in an organic system. So, if it’s organic certified, it’s probably got some shade and native vegetation that support birds and other wildlife. Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center calls this the second-best option if you do not want to have Bird Friendly® coffee shipped to you or can’t find it in a retail store.

Where to buy Certified Organic Coffee

USDA certified organic coffee is widely available at local stores and coffee shops in Wisconsin. Look for the word “organic” or the USDA certified organic label shown on the left. Or ask at your favorite coffee shop if their beans are organic.