By Janet Allen
You probably know that many of “our” birds – the ones we enjoy in the spring, summer, and fall – spend their winters in Central and South America. You probably also know that rain forests are shrinking. But did you know that our hummingbirds, swallows, warblers, orioles, tanagers, and other migratory birds can find a sanctuary in the forest- like environment of traditional coffee plantations?
Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center (SMBC) biologists found that traditionally-managed coffee plantations support almost as many bird species as undisturbed tropical forests.
So what’s the problem? A few decades ago, traditional coffee plantations started being converted to sun plantations. This produces more coffee but eliminates the many ecological services shade plantations provide. Sun plantations also require the extensive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, creating additional problems.
We in the U.S. consume a large percentage of the world's coffee, so our purchasing decisions influence coffee production practices. Buying Smithsonian Bird Friendly® coffee keeps traditional coffee production economically viable, which helps preserve increasingly scarce habitat for migratory birds.
And for us coffee lovers, this isn’t a sacrifice! Coffee was meant to grow in the shade, so it’s high quality and every bit as satisfying as industrial agriculture’s sun-grown product. You don’t need to compromise your health, either, since Bird Friendly® coffee is certified organic. Some brands are certified Fair Trade as well to ensure that local farmers profit from their labor.
For example, Wegmans Guatemalan Specialty Coffee is triple -certified as Bird Friendly®, USDA organic, and Fair Trade, and it’s the same price as other Wegmans brand organic specialty coffees.
Cheap sun plantation coffee, on the other hand, may be less expensive for the consumer, but with a price being paid by birds and other wildlife, the earth, and small-scale farmers.
What About Other Certifications?
You may find other coffees that claim to be shade-grown and good for wildlife, BUT some of these certifications allow as little as 30% of their product to meet the standard but still use their certification logo. And their criteria for creating habitat may be less stringent.
SMBC’s Bird Friendly® certification promises 100% product purity and requires growers to follow practices that create high quality bird habitat.
Where Can I Buy Bird Friendly® Coffee?
We’re fortunate here in Central New York that Wegmans offers one choice: whole bean Guatemalan Specialty Coffee (though not the Guatemalan coffee in bulk). Allegro’s “Early Bird Blend” is Bird Friendly® certified and is available at Whole Foods stores and online. Birds & Beans is also available online. See the SMBC website for more options.
Note: The SMBC is currently transitioning to a new logo, so you may see two different versions of the logo on packages.
One More Step You Can Take
Let stores that carry Bird Friendly® coffee know you appreciate having this choice available (in my experience, the staff at Wegmans and Whole Foods are unaware that they carry coffee with this certification or that these coffees are special).
Many people and organizations are working to preserve birds’ summer habitat here in New York, especially by planting native plants. This is important work, but we also must preserve migratory birds’ winter homes.
Support shade coffee plantations by making your next coffee purchase Bird Friendly®!
For more information about Bird Friendly® coffee, visit the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center’s website.
To learn more about the ecological benefits of shade-grown coffee, read this article from the Smithsonian National Zoological Park Conservation Biology Institute.