The importance of birds to the environment
This morning when I search for some news, I found this article in the web… very nice article so I think it is good to share in the blog… the article will give some some view about the important of birds to the environment.. and for some hopefully they can value birds of prey more and not just pest that will steal their livestock.
The importance of birds to the environment
It would surprise you the numerous species of birds that Mother Nature has bequeathed to mankind and the many benefits that they bring to us. In fact I was both bemused and astounded when I heard some of the strange and interesting names of birds in the world. And to think that all along I perceived all birds as plain birds, though I occasionally saw a strange bird either perched on a tree or fly past.
Different Bird Species
Talk about the Plantain Eater, Crocodile Bird, Nightjars, Bulbuls, Goliath Heron, Bustards, Red Bishop, Tits, Laughing and tambourine Doves and (you can’t help laughing at this) – the Secretary Bird, which has its scientific name as Sagittarius Serpentarius. An attempt to give a rundown of the different species of birds would leave us gasping for breath if not suicidal.Bird-watching
Well, though it is an undisputed fact that birds are so beautiful to behold, it goes without saying that the Bird-watching sport, or is it pastime, is not very popular in our part of the world. As revealed when this author called at the offices of the Forest and Wildlife department, this phenomenon is largely due to the fact that our forbears concentrated all their efforts at just a nice meal of wild birds and animals. However as gathered now, birds are a great source of revenue for many countries through ecological tourism. “If we develop that aspect of tourism, it would add up tremendously to the earnings of tourism. Bird watching is catching on with many people who visit bird-watching sites to look out for birds, which have migrated over long distances. Currently even in almost all Northeastern states, birds can be watched at all designated protected areas, which are made up of resource and game reserves or wildlife sanctuaries. As mentioned above, bird-watching has really not caught on with Nagas, though that sport or pastime is not new in India and other places in the world. The fact that birds are a delight to watch especially with lenses (binoculars and telescopes) to really come to terms with their diversity and intricate colours patterns cannot be disputed. Research has shown that back in Europe watching birds goes beyond delight to offering a lot of comfort to widows and people who lack company.
It is said to give watchers a sense of fulfillment or happiness as they observe the feeding habits of the birds as well as construction of their nests among others.Birds in flight and plumage change
Birds, research has shown, travel several thousands of kilometers as the weather pattern changes. Most of these birds migrate from Europe to Africa from August every year to escape the harsh wintry conditions and only fly back when the weather normalizes. Talk about birds also enjoying their summer holidays in Africa every year. Why do Birds don’t spend there summer holidays in Nagaland? Because the birds can’t effort to holiday both summer and winter in this serenely beautiful place, its too expensive for them at the same time the entry formalities are too strict, the customs officials give entry permits for the able bodied only (those who can out run the guns because Nagas eat everything with four legs except Tables and everything that flies except Airplanes. Another interesting feature of birds is the changing of their plumage (Molting) as the weather pattern changes. In other words, birds have their summer as well as winter plumage, a feature which has the propensity to make one think of a particular bird as new species, save a trained eye. The changing of their dress, so to speak, also comes in handy during breeding. In fact it has been established that while changing of plumage is pronounced in water birds it is mostly forest birds, which wear very beautiful plumage to attract their females instead of what is conventionally known. But do birds only flap their wings, fly, chirp or squawk? Definitely not! Birds do not only fly, chirp or squawk. They perform many roles other than chirping to signal the dawning of a new day. In fact come to think of it, how would you feel and most importantly what would go on in your mind, if you should wake up one day from bed to realize that the birds have gone on strike with their chirping?
I guess you would see it as strange and really be scared, thinking that the world is coming to an end, more especially if you should receive confirmation from some friends that the birds did not and are not chirping. But well, as it is with many freebees of nature, we tend to take both the cacophony and harmony of chirps to wake us from our beds for granted. Some may argue that birds are a nuisance because some make their nests in the roofs of our buildings. Others may tow that same line, arguing that they (birds) pick on our fruits and grains, (maize and rice especially) but wait till the end of this piece and judge whether they are more of a nuisance than a blessing or vice versa.Aviation and birds:
The importance of birds even stretches to aviation. It was by critically observing the flight of a bird that manufacturers of aircraft developed the concept of flaps to aid the plane to fly better. Ask any pilot or aviation engineer and he would confirm this assertion on the development of the wing and tail flaps of the aircraft. Also, have you ever been to an air show or witnessed aircraft flying in formation? That was all taken from the birds which love to fly certain times in beautiful patterns when traveling in a group or flocking together. Remember this cliché “Birds of the same feather flock together”? This is how it came about.Promotion of Eco-Tourism
Eco-Tourism is fast becoming a major foreign exchange earner for many countries, a situation which begs Nagas to develop her potential in this regard, in view of the numerous species of birds, which can be sighted all across the state all year round. We Nagas are natural Bird watchers (as of my own experience) the first thing that comes to ones mind when coming across a bird is to go as near as possible and shoot it. That’s it, if you are also one among these groups; you have very high chance to be the world’s best Bird watching guide if instead of the urge to shoot, just take a deep breath and look at the bird in admiration. Congratulation!!!!!! It’s not as hard as you thought it would be.Birds, the fisherman’s friend
Though this may sound outrageous, it has been proven that fishermen and birds share a special bond of friendship. Apart from testifying that birds become their guides to shore whenever they are lost at sea, sea birds such as the Terns (10 species) also lead the fishermen to shoals of fish and thus aid to rope in big catches.Ornithology and other gains:
The study of birds has very much enhanced study of the migration concept and also become a boost to scientific research. It has been noted that the interesting features of birds has resulted in much research of the two-winged flying creature. Ringing, which involves putting of a labeled ring on the leg of a bird aids in studying the ecology of birds through their migratory patterns. This is practiced in many bird areas. By this method, the life span of birds as well as how far they can fly is easily figured out through cooperation between ornithologists in the opposing countries or areas (where the bird was ringed and where they are sighted).
Bird studies also promote good relationship between universities in India and abroad and also bring about support and assistance from organizations associated with birds.Birds and the environment:
Birds serve as one of the best environmental indicators. Their presence anywhere speaks volumes of the environment as to whether all is well or there is something amiss. The presence of birds also shows the biological importance or going technical, the biodiversity significance of an area. The presence of carcass would always attract members of the vulture family, whilst the prevalence of fruits and flowers would always attract Nectar and Seed Eaters.Agents of seed dispersal:
I remember that when I was just a kid, I always assumed that fruit tress that sprung up in our backyard without us planting them was cultivated by God himself. However I now know that Seed Eaters and other birds in view of their eating habit become agents of seed dispersal.Indication of pollution:
Over the years, oil slicks, which have resulted from oil spill from tankers, have killed many fishes as well as many a water bird and birds which have been fortunate to escape death, have been picked up and cleaned by some environmental groups. Just as these oil spills, wherever birds have been found dead in their numbers it has pointed to one thing- pollution.Dealing with pests and dangerous reptiles
Though hard to believe, birds prey on roaches, pests and others that are seen as a nuisance to man. I was very bewildered the first time I saw a domestic fowl feeding on a cockroach, and then the following new findings gave and still give me the jitters. Can you imagine a bird eating up a snake of all animals? Yet that is the delicacy of … (you wouldn’t believe it) the Secretary Bird and some hawks.Research has also shown that owls are very good pest controllers. They feed on mice and little lizards. There are other birds such as the Cattle Egrets which follow cattle when they are grazing to feed on insects that fly up with the advance of the cattle. To add a few more, other pest species are the Bee-Eaters, Flycatchers and Bat Hawk.
In view of the above and the fact that some bird species in Nagaland are considered endangered, the Wildlife Laws should offer protection for them and every one of us should come forward and protect our birds not only because they are beautiful but many of our unemployment problems can be solved through the conservation and preservation of our Natural Environment instead of destroying them. Come on guys, it’s a win – win situation. We save our environment and at the same time we also made ourselves a way to earn a living.Protect our chirping birds
Angulie Meyase
Nature Watch(source: morungexpress.com )