US teen's bird project grows from tribute to lasting community movement

A Texas middle schooler, Aamir Tinwala, began building nest boxes after adopting a cockatiel during the pandemic and has built more than 750 bird shelters while organizing neighbors and schools.

A Texas middle school student began a local conservation effort after adopting a pet cockatiel during the pandemic. He started building nesting boxes in his backyard to help make up for habitat loss in urban and suburban areas. The effort, called the Backyard Bird Project, expanded as he coordinated with neighbors, schools and community groups and created a site to register and ship boxes. Over the past five years he has increased the project beyond his garage and reached a wider community. What is known: - Aamir Tinwala and his parents adopted a cockatiel while the family was feeling isolated during the pandemic. - He founded the Backyard Bird Project to build and distribute nest boxes and to provide instructions for others to build their own. - He organized with neighbors, schools and community groups, created a website for registrations, and shipped boxes to participants. - He has personally built more than 750 bird shelters in the last five years. - He ran a successful petition to have his hometown name the American kestrel as a city bird. - Media reports say the project connects people to local biodiversity issues and that well-placed nest boxes can offer shelter and breeding sites for birds. Summary: The project has engaged young people and local volunteers while providing reported, tangible habitat benefits for birds. Undetermined at this time.