This Island Is Getting an Upgrade – Because Birds Love It!

Following restoration efforts made to an island off the coast of Louisiana, United States, birds flew back to the coastal area, and an expansion of the territory is underway to welcome even more avian animals.

“We’re thrilled to see our state bird come home to a new and improved habitat,” says authority chairman Chip Kline. Through dredging, Rabbit Island will gain 41 of the 117 hectares eroded. Grass and shrubs will also be planted to appeal more to birds.

Out of the 12 species that built nests on the island, 10 are considered “species of greatest conservation need” by the state of Louisiana. The Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority have released data regarding nesting: pelicans, egrets, herons, ibis, terns, and other colonial waterbirds have built a total of 6,100 nests, which is more than 16 times the number expected by biologists.