What should we do as individuals to conserve birds?

When talking about conservation, most people talk of it as something that they urge Government to do and absolve themselves of any responsibility in conservation of birds. However, there is a lot of things that individuals can do to help conserve birds. I have tried to list out a few things and I intend to expand the list as my knowledge also grows.

• Place a bowl of water outside for water. This is the simplest and most effective way people can help to save birds. Birds, particularly those living in cities and towns, find it very difficult to locate a source of water. However, one precaution you need to take while doing this is to make sure waterfowl  should be hung down or should be placed in such a way that cats can't access it to prey upon unsuspecting birds.
• Place a nest box with grains. This is yet another simple way to help birds. In fact, one of the reasons for decline in sparrow population is the inability of birds to find grains and also its inability to build nests in concrete structure which are devoid of niches and crevices previously found in tiled roof houses.
• Plant trees. Trees are essential as nesting, perching  and roosting grounds for a wide variety of bird species while also providing food by way of flowers, insects and fruits. It is also essentials to select the type of trees which are suitable for planting. Neermarathu (Terminalia arjuna or arjuna tree), Naaval (Syzygium cumini or Java plum or Jambul), and Aththi, (Ficus auriculata Lour or Elephant Ear Fig tree or Gaint Indian Fig)
• Avoid bursting crackers. Birds are very disturbed by sudden and loud noises and many abandon their nests and young ones if they are hear such noises.
• Avoid cats as pets. Feral cats which are pets or those which are abandoned, predate on the nests of many birds by destroying their eggs and eating their young chicks and in many cases preying on birds themselves. It is best to avoid cats as pets.
• Avoid caged birds. Many of the caged birds we use as pests have been hunted in the wild. Birds which are ubiquitous commonly called love birds are nothing but budgerigars of Australia. Macaws are also being overhunted in south America as they are very popular as pets world wide.