Birdology: 30 Activities and Observations for Exploring the World of Birds
Introduction With the recent concern about possible nature deficit emerging in children and adults there could be no better remedy than to experience the sights and sounds of the natural world Watching and listening to birds can provide feel ings of personal discovery and accomplishment and a rewarding outdoor experience North America has more than 700 species of birds and at least 9 000 are found around the world You can find birds in the city and countryside along the shore and in forests fields and backyards Birds are seen at zoos muse ums city parks and even in our homes as pets Birds appear on TV and in movies They fascinate us with their variety of colors patterns songs and activities and they astonish us with their flight capabilities Images and emblems of birds are historically impor tant as icons of strength and freedom This book is not a field guide so it does not focus on identifying species Instead the aim is to foster independent study through careful observation and hands on activities Parents teachers and students can easily participate in observing the birds around them the variety of colors and patterns the songs and calls and the activities of feeding preening cleaning or nesting Even professional field biolo
gists study birds simply by watching Although most of the birds in this book are wild native species many nonnatives are included such as the English sparrow starling and common pigeon Domesticated birds such as chickens along with pet birds or birds seen in zoos and parks are also includ ed because these birds are often the most familiar Some of the species most familiar to us are pet birds and zoo birds This is a male cockatiel His name is Rocko The time you spend watching birds now may lead to future study as a biologist ornithologist or bird rehabilitator emerging on the forefront of new dis coveries and adventures to better understand the environment around us And studying birds is a lot of great outdoor fun A Note of Caution Birds are protected by federal laws It is illegal to collect any feathers nests or eggs of wild birds These laws were made to prevent the
kind of mass collection and destruction that caused the near extinction of some species in the 1880s It is only safe to observe draw or photograph any feathers found lying on the ground They may have acquired harmful organisms that could cause infec tion if handled The same caution must be used in studying hawk or owl castings observe and record but don't touch These cautions are also explained in the text
