Birds are also indicators of how healthy the environment is. If they return in the spring with plenty of fat, they are better prepared to breed and raise young. If they had a hard winter, they could be in poor condition, not prepared for the physical demands of raising a family or they may not even breed at all. The same is true when they migrate south. If there is not enough food for them to eat and build up fat reserves, they won t be prepared for the rigors of migration and possibly won t make it to their winter ranges.
Birds are beneficial in being leaders in insect control.
Many species of birds in Wyoming feed on mosquitoes, moths and other insect pests, which reduces the need for chemical pesticides and makes our days outdoors more pleasant. Birds are an important economic factor as well. People take vacations strictly to birdwatch and millions of dollars are spent every year on field guides, binoculars and bird seed. Wyoming would lose much of its beauty, uniqueness and wildness if the migratory birds were gone. For more information about migratory birds, contact the Wyoming Game and Fish Department at 777-4600.