Halloween is often a delight for homeowners — but can decorations such as fake spiderwebs put birds at risk? Here's what our birding experts say.
With the changing seasons comes refreshingly cool temperatures, crunching leaves underfoot, and all things pumpkin spice. Fall is a favorite time of year, for many — especially those who enjoy putting up towering skeletons in the yard or peppering their front lawn with fake gravestones. Decorating for fall and spooky season can be plenty of fun… but depending on what kind of decorations you use, you might be unknowingly causing trouble for birds. Here’s what birding experts Kenn and Kimberly Kaufman have to say about the impact of a few common Halloween decorations, including fake spiderwebs, on birds and wildlife, and what you should use instead.
Meet the black birds that are always dressed for Halloween.
Which Halloween Decorations Are Dangerous for Birds?
Spooky-season enthusiasts (hopefully) aren’t putting these items up with malicious intent. The impact on birds that these products have isn’t well advertised. In their excitement to celebrate, homeowners often focus on the Halloween aesthetic they’d like to create rather than researching wildlife safety.
With that said, Kenn and Kimberly strongly advise against a few common outdoor Halloween decorations.
“Fake spiderwebs can be a serious problem,” they say, “especially the kind that have a sticky coating. Small birds can easily get caught in them.” For similar reasons, they also advise against products that use gauze or netting. Birds can get caught and struggle to free themselves, which causes injury. “If you’re decorating outdoors, look at any kinds of strings, banners or ribbons and think about whether they might trap unwary birds or other wildlife,” Kenn and Kimberly say.
They also mention hanging up bedsheets in the yard as “ghosts” could trap birds.
Lastly, while this time of year celebrates black cats, it’s vital for birds’ safety to keep cats indoors.
What Halloween Decorations Are Safe for Birds?
Kenn and Kimberly approve of decorations made with birds in mind. Sometimes, these can double as fun crafts.
For example, you can make seasonal-themed suet cakes that resemble pumpkins or ghosts. The Kaufmans also recommend decorations made from all-natural materials — for example, a pumpkin can double as a bird feeder.
An old carved pumpkin can provide nourishment for hungry critters. And placing “spooky” decals on windows can also help minimize window strikes during migration, a continual and massive threat to birds.
This creative jack-o’lantern design looks like an owl!
Sources
- National Audubon Society, “How to Have a Bird-Safe Halloween“
- American Bird Conservancy, “Spooky Tips to Ensure Only Treats and No Tricks for Birds This Halloween“
About the Experts
Kenn and Kimberly Kaufman are the official bird experts for Birds & Blooms. They are the creators of the Kaufman Field Guide series and they lead birding trips all over the world.
