Bird City Wisconsin

South Milwaukee is a healthy community for birds... and people.

The City of South Milwaukee is committed to making our community healthy for birds and people, and is proud to be designated Bird City Wisconsin. The City is part of an important migratory flyaway, and also provides vital nesting habitat for many species. Lake Michigan, the Oak Creek Parkway, Grant Park, the Mill Pond, and perhaps even your back yard are all appreciated by people and birds alike. If you are interested in better understanding our feathered friends, improving their habitat, or becoming involved with groups that commit to these endeavors, visiting these partnering organizations:

The City of South Milwaukee encourages its residents to live a bird-friendly life by:

Keeping Cats Indoors

Cats are great pets. And they are a better and safer pet when kept indoors. Domestic cats are a threat to birds and other wildlife and have contributed to the extinction of 33 species of birds worldwide. Learn how to protect wildlife from cats.

Stopping Birds from Hitting Windows

It is estimated that up to a billion birds die each year in the United States when they hit glass windows, walls, and other structures, making this threat one of the most costly to bird populations. Odds are that sooner or later, your windows will kill a bird.

Creating inviting Backyard Habitat

Learn to attract birds in your own yards. Plant native plants and trees, provide water features, construct nesting boxes, and more.
Learn what birds need to thrive in your yard.

Piping Plover

The banner photo (above) was taken on Grant Park Beach in South Milwaukee. This tiny and super cute bird is a Piping Plover. The Piping Plover is endangered because it prefers sandy beaches to build its nest - the same habitat that is preferred by humans for summer fun. The good news is there are current successful initiatives in place to provide these tiny shorebird protected nesting habitat. Scientists then band the chicks so that when we find them on Grant Park Beach during their migration, we can read their leg bands and report their findings to scientists working to protect them. Reporting a banded bird provides crucial scientific data, and in return the reporter will receive information on the individual bird (age/sex/where they were hatched). Learn more on Piping Plovers in Wisconsin.