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BIRD WATCHING
Bird watching, also called birding, is a recreational pastime that
involves observing wild birds in their native habitat. People at all levels of fitness and
ornithological knowledge can be birders, and many regions have thriving societies that
sponsor trips and educational lectures. There are a number of reasons to participate in this
activity, but most birders say that they simply enjoy the opportunity to go outside, learn
about nature, and spend time with people who have like interests.
Humans have been identifying and observing birds for centuries in
an attempt to become more knowledgeable about the natural world. Modern birders
restrict their identifications to photographs and drawings, but in former centuries, birders
also shot and mounted the birds that they identified in the wild. One of the most famous
bird watchers, John Jacob Audubon, killed hundreds of birds, including many new
species, and brought them back to life in vivid and unique drawings which were
published in 1840 to great public acclaim
On a bird watching trip, the birders will typically carry birding
binoculars and bird guides to assist with spotting and identifying species. Although many
birders are very knowledgeable, a bird guide confirms an identification, and assists
birders who are traveling in unfamiliar territory. Many birders also carry a life list, a
document that allows them to keep track of every bird they have ever spotted. Other
equipment typically includes heavy boots for dealing with varied territory and layered
clothing to cope with changeable weather.
Many locally based bird watching groups welcome new members,
and love educating people new to ornithology. People who are interested in taking up this
activity can contact a local chapter to get more information about it, and established
birders can incorporate the pastime into their trips and vacations by getting in touch with
bird groups at their destinations. Some travel agencies also offer bird watching trips,
targeted at people who are interested in exploring nature and acquiring new species for
their life lists .
Bird watching, or birding, is a form of wildlife observation in
which the observation of birds is a recreational activity. It can be done with the naked
eye, through a visual enhancement device like binoculars and telescopes, or by listening
for bird sounds.
Bird watching often involves a significant auditory component,
as many bird species are more easily detected and identified by ear than by eye. Most
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birdwatchers pursue this activity for recreational or social reasons, unlike ornithologists,
who engage in the study of birds using formal scientific methods.
New technologies are allowing bird watching activities to take
place over the Internet, using robotic camera installations and mobile phones set up in
remote wildlife areas. Projects such as allow users to observe and photograph birds over
the web; similarly, robotic cameras set up in largely inhospitable areas are being used to
attempt the first photographs of the rare ivory-billed woodpecker. These systems
represent new technologies in the birdwatcher's toolkit
ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT OF BIRD WATCHING
Birds are one of the most visible groups of wildlife.
However, it helps if you have the proper equipment. Using and understanding
some basics about bird watching equipment is a key to enjoyment and success as
you conduct your monitoring projects.
Bird watching is a relatively inexpensive activity. There are two basic tools that will
give you a good start.
First, find a field guide that you like. There are many from which to choose, but decide
which guide fits your skill level. Golden's A Guide to Field Identification - Birds of
North America is an easy-to-use field guide, as is Peterson's Field Guide to Eastern
Birds. These two are very suitable for beginning and expert birders alike. Other field
guides offer more detail in their illustrations, which is appealing to those with a bit
moreskill.
Second, a good pair of binoculars is a must. They allow you to see more detail to
better identify birds. Binoculars don't have to cost a lot of money, but must adequately
magnify birds for identification. Many 7 x 35 or 8 x 42 power binoculars are
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affordable and good for bird watching. They should be easy to use and comfortable for
you.
If you do a lot of bird watching from your car or view ducks and
other waterfowl at various wetlands and other migratory stop-over’s, then a spotting
scope is another very handy tool to have. In fact, in order to easily identify waterfowl
from a distance, it is often necessary to use a spotting scope. There are many to choose
from, but in general, they do cost more than a good pair of binoculars. Magnification
for spotting scopes generally range from 20x to 80x. At this magnification, a sturdy
tripod or window clamp are a must for mounting a spotting scope.
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BIRD REARING
Rearing is practice of keeping and breeding birds and
the culture that forms around it . rearing or aviculture is generally focused on not
only the raising and breeding of birds There are various reasons that people get
involved in aviculture. Some people breed birds to preserve a species. Some people breed
parrots as companion birds, and some people breed birds to make a profit, but also on
preserving avian habitat and public awareness .
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There are various reasons that people get involved in
aviculture. Some people breed birds to preserve a species. Some people breed parrots as
companion birds, and some people breed birds to make a profit.
Aviculture is the practice of keeping birds (Class Aves) in
captivity using controlled conditions, normally within the confines of an aviary, for
hobby, business, research & conservation purposes.
There are avicultural societies throughout the world, but
generally in Europe, Australia and the United States, where people tend to be more
prosperous, having more leisure time to invest. The first avicultural society in Australia
was The Avicultural Society of South Australia, founded in 1928. It is now promoted
with the name Bird Keeping in Australia. The two major national avicultural societies in
the United States are the American Federation of Aviculture and the Avicultural Society
of America, founded in 1927. In the UK, the Aviculture Society was formed in 1894 and
the Foreign Bird League in 1932. The Budgerigar Society was formed in 1925
Some important reasons for Aviculture are: breeding birds to
preserve the species because many avian species are at risk due to habitat destruction and
natural disaster. Aviculture encourages conservation, provides education about avian
species, provides companion birds for the public, and includes research on avian
behavior.
"Aviculture - The worldwide hobby of keeping and
breeding numerous species of wild birds in captivity to maintain their numerical status in
nature with a view of forestalling their extinction by supplying aviary raised stock
IMPORTANCE OF BIRD WACHING
Observation skills to find birds in the wild
Listening skills to identify birds by their songs
Deduction when comparing two challenging bird species
Research skills for following clues to a bird’s identity
Patience when waiting for birds to appear
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CONCLUSION
Birdwatching often involves a significant auditory component, as many bird species are
more easily detected and identified by ear than by eye. Most birdwatchers pursue this
activity for recreational or social reasons, unlike ornithologists, who engage in the study
of birds using formal scientific methods. Rearing is practice of keeping and breeding
birds and the culture that forms around it . rearing or aviculture is generally
focused on not only the raising and breeding of birds There are various reasons
that people get involved in aviculture. Both,bird watching and bird rearing are hobbies.
REFERENCE
ww.google/bird watching .org.in
www.wikkipedia .in
checked and corrected by
RESHMA THULASI TL
Assistant professor in Natural Science
F.M.T.C,Mylapore
