What Is Bird Friendly Coffee?

What Is Bird Friendly Coffee?

By

www.BuyOrganicCoffee.org

http://buyorganiccoffee.org/1336/what-is-bird-

friendly-coffee/

There are various certifications to look

for when you want healthy organic

coffee.

http://buyorganiccoffee.org/1336/what-is-bird-

friendly-coffee/

We have written about USDA

certification and certification by the

Rainforest Alliance and UTZ. And we

have written about shade grown coffee.

http://buyorganiccoffee.org/1336/what-is-bird-

friendly-coffee/

The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center

has come out with a certification for Bird Friendly Coffee!

http://buyorganiccoffee.org/1336/what-is-bird-

friendly-coffee/

The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center

has developed the only 100% organic

and shade-grown coffee certification

available: Bird Friendly.

http://buyorganiccoffee.org/1336/what-is-bird-

friendly-coffee/

That's right-no other bag guarantees that every bean is produced organically and under high-quality shade. Our seal of approval ensures tropical "agroforests" are preserved and migratory birds find a healthy haven when they travel from your backyard to those faraway farms producing the beans you so enjoy every morning.

http://buyorganiccoffee.org/1336/what-is-bird-

friendly-coffee/

Bird friendly coffee comes from coffee

plantations with a variety of shade trees

and not just a monoculture on one kind.

http://buyorganiccoffee.org/1336/what-is-bird-

friendly-coffee/

The Smithsonian requires native trees

appropriate for native birds. But, what

makes bird friend coffee so great?

http://buyorganiccoffee.org/1336/what-is-bird-

friendly-coffee/

http://buyorganiccoffee.org/1336/what-is-bird-

friendly-coffee/

Shade Grown Coffee

http://buyorganiccoffee.org/1336/what-is-bird-

friendly-coffee/

Growing organic coffee in the shade is how growers follow the traditional means of growing coffee. Coffee is grown in the tropics and traditionally grows on the sides of hills and mountains. The time honored means of planting is to put 20 seeds in a hole of which about half survive to grow into coffee bushes. Traditional planting takes place at the start of the rainy season.

http://buyorganiccoffee.org/1336/what-is-bird-

friendly-coffee/

It takes several years for coffee to mature and start producing coffee beans. Thus traditional growers often plant other crops amount the coffee while it is maturing. Today most growers follow the example set in Brazil of growing seedlings in a greenhouse and then planting outside when they are ready. Growing organic coffee in the shade is done by two methods.

http://buyorganiccoffee.org/1336/what-is-bird-

friendly-coffee/

One is to partially clear forest and plant

coffee. The other is to plant trees

among the coffee in order to provide

shade. When fruit trees are used the

coffee grower enjoys two crops on the

same land.

http://buyorganiccoffee.org/1336/what-is-bird-

friendly-coffee/

And when trees are left in place the

result is bird friendly coffee. Most

experts agree that shade grown coffee

is better coffee, more flavorful and mild.

http://buyorganiccoffee.org/1336/what-is-bird-

friendly-coffee/

But the best part of shade grown coffee

is preservation of the environment. This

method of growing coffee protects the

soil, the water table and the plants.

Because plants are not bunched

together they are less likely to be

infested by insects or plant diseases.

http://buyorganiccoffee.org/1336/what-is-bird-

friendly-coffee/

This removes the need to use powerful

insecticides and pesticides so that the

end result is organic shade grown

coffee. And not using insecticides and

fungicides also results in healthier birds!

http://buyorganiccoffee.org/1336/what-is-bird-

friendly-coffee/

http://buyorganiccoffee.org/1336/what-is-bird-

friendly-coffee/

Which Birds Are We Talking About?

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friendly-coffee/

Here is a list of the birds that inhabit or

migrate to tropical and semitropical

coffee plantations and are primary

beneficiaries of bird friendly coffee growing, courtesy of Audubon.

http://buyorganiccoffee.org/1336/what-is-bird-

friendly-coffee/

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Broad-winged Hawk

American Kestrel

Lesser Nighthawk

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher

Traill's (Willow and Alder) Flycatcher

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friendly-coffee/

Least Flycatcher

Hammond's Flycatcher

Brown-crested Flycatcher

Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher

Western Kingbird

Yellow-throated Vireo

Blue-headed Vireo

Warbling Vireo

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friendly-coffee/

Red-eyed Vireo

Yellow-green Vireo

Violet-green Swallow

Cliff Swallow

Barn Swallow

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

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friendly-coffee/

Swainson's Thrush

Wood Thrush

Golden-winged Warbler

Tennessee Warbler

Nashville Warbler

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friendly-coffee/

Northern Parula

Yellow Warbler

Magnolia Warbler

Golden-cheeked Warbler

Black-throated Green Warbler

Townsend's Warbler

Blackburnian Warbler

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friendly-coffee/

Black-and-white Warbler

American Redstart

Worm-eating Warbler

Ovenbird

Louisiana Waterthrush

Kentucky Warbler

Mourning Warbler

MacGillivray's Warbler

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friendly-coffee/

Hooded Warbler

Wilson's Warbler

Canada Warbler

Yellow-breasted Chat

Summer Tanager

Western Tanager

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Indigo Bunting

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friendly-coffee/

Painted Bunting

Orchard Oriole

Baltimore Oriole

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friendly-coffee/