Black and White Warbler. Rachel Hopper

Buy coffee that’s better for birds

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66%

Coffee is the most popular beverage in the United States — 66% of us drink it daily. Current coffee-growing practices, however, can threaten Wisconsin birds that spend their winters in coffee-growing regions of Central and South America. Coffee plants evolved to grow in shade, but grow faster in sunlight, so vast swaths of forest have been cleared to make way for more coffee.

-30%

When forests disappear, migratory songbirds and other wildlife disappear too. This loss of habitat is one reason why North America has lost 3 billion birds since 1970, a nearly 30% drop.

The good news is some coffee is grown in ways that are better for birds. Read on to learn about some options to buy — and try a brew that’s good for birds.

Bird-Friendly certified coffee
is the gold standard

The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center developed the Bird Friendly® coffee certification in the 1990s to help protect bird habitats. Farms receiving the certification plant their coffee under a canopy of diverse trees and use no pesticides.

Where to buy Bird Friendly Coffee

Look for the Bird Friendly® seal when you buy coffee. Check Whole Foods Market, Wal-Mart, and Metcalfe’s for Allegro Early Bird Blend; try Meijer, Festival Foods, and many cooperative grocery stores for Cafe Fair roasts.

Options for buying online

  1. Get a 5% discount and free shipping when you order online from birdsandbeanscoffee.com and type in the promo code BCWI5 (the letter I, not numeral one) at checkout. A portion of sales will go to Bird City Wisconsin, a SOS Save Our Songbirds partner.

  2. Browse and buy from the Smithsonian Bird Friendly website listing of 150+ Bird Friendly coffees.

USDA Organic certified is the next best option and widely available

When Bird Friendly Coffee isn’t available locally or you don’t want to have it shipped to you, Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center researchers recommend buying USDA certified organic coffee.

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.

Where to buy Certified Organic Coffee

USDA certified organic coffee is widely available at local stores and coffee shops in many Wisconsin communities. Look for the USDA certified organic label pictured above on the packaging or ask the barista at your favorite coffee shop if their beans are USDA certified organic.