1、 The core direction of regulation adjustment is related to the survival of birds
Recently, bird regulations in the Americas have mainly focused on three types of changes that directly affect the habitat, food sources, and migration safety of courtyard birds:
Relaxation of habitat policies: Virginia, Maine, and other states have passed bills prohibiting homeowners' associations (HOAs) from listing native plants as "weeds" and forcing their removal, preserving the basic environment that provides food and nesting materials for birds.
Fluctuations in migration protection rules: The "Migratory Bird Treaty Act" (MBTA) has relaxed restrictions on "accidental take", increasing the probability of threats to migratory birds from projects such as wind power and transmission lines.
Strengthening the control of artificial feeding: Los Angeles, Hong Kong and other regions have issued feeding bans (such as a fine of $1000 for peacocks and HKD 5000 for wild pigeons), cutting off the dependence of some birds on artificial food sources.
2、 Adaptive behavior strategies of common birds in courtyards
（1） Staying birds: reconstructing the survival chain based on native plant policies
The year-round resident birds represented by the Northern Cardinal and Mourning Dove demonstrate rapid adaptation to habitat policies
Food source conversion: In the courtyard where native plants have been legalized, the main Cardinals preferentially feed on the seeds of the black heart goldenrod and the nectar of the milkweed. Their robust parrot like beaks can efficiently crush the pods of the adzuki tree, replacing the previous reliance on artificially fed grains. Observations in Maine show that the population density of main Cardinals in native plant growing areas is 47% higher than in pure lawn areas.
Nesting optimization: The mourning dove changed its nest material from artificial fibers to milk grass stems and black heart golden chrysanthemum stems, and the nest site was moved from under the eaves to the middle layer of the native shrub, which not only avoids natural enemies but also conforms to the policy orientation of "natural landscape permission".
（2） Migratory birds: behavioral adjustments to cope with migration risks
Migratory species such as Rose breasted Grosbeak have developed a dual strategy in response to MBTA regulations:
Migration route deviation: In the central and western plains where wind power projects are concentrated, the spring migration route of this species shrinks towards native plant protection areas, avoiding areas with concentrated transmission lines. Tracking data from Minnesota shows that the population survival rate of the spring offset route in 2025 has increased by 19% compared to previous years.
Elasticization of stay period: In areas where natural landcapping is allowed, migratory birds extend their stay by 1-2 weeks, utilizing the energy stored in the fruits of native plants to compensate for the reduction of midway foraging points caused by engineering interference.
（3） Omnivorous birds: transition from artificial feeding to survival
Dickcissel and Blue black Grosbeak, which used to rely on human feeding, showed significant behavioral changes after the implementation of the feeding ban:
Expansion of foraging range: American sparrows spread from the courtyards around farmland to areas with mixed native shrubs, mainly feeding on insects and wild grains. When they move south in winter, their cluster size decreases by 30%, reducing the risk of being hunted as "harmful birds" in agricultural areas.
Community behavior adjustment: Blue and black bunting birds have shifted from scattered foraging to small group activities, using collective singing to locate fruit resources. The nesting height of their cup-shaped nests has been increased to over 5 meters, and they use tall native shrubs allowed by policies to avoid ground threats.
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