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BIRD WATCH
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Do we value the existence
of our feathered friends? |
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BIRDS – Our Feathered Friends!!
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Birds are the only group of vertebrates
(animals with a backbone), which are feathered, are
two-legged and can fly!! Birds are the most ubiquitous of
all organisms indicating their presence by way of their
visible activities like fluttering, perching, hopping on
the ground or by their various calls. There are about 8600
species of birds worldwide, of which 1245 species are
found in India alone. In fact Delhi alone boasts of 445
species of birds!!
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BIRDS’ WORTH
Birds
are an integral part of the ecosystem just as we are! Most
of us do not realize their importance but they are
indispensable and play an important role in the ecosystem.
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POLLINATORS:
Many birds like Sunbirds, etc
suck nectar from flowers and in the process help in
pollinating. |
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SEED
DISPERSERS:
Fruit eating birds like Parakeets eat the pulp but
leave the seeds behind, which grow into new plants. |
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NATURAL INSECTICIDES:
Insectivorous birds like Drongos, Babblers etc
help in controlling large populations of insect
pests. They actually help us do away with harmful
chemical insecticides!! |
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PEST CONTROLLERS:
Rodents cause diseases and crop damage. Birds of
prey like Owls hunt mice, rodents and keep a check on
pest population.
NATURAL WASTE MANAGERS: Vultures, Crows act as
efficient scavengers and feed on strewn garbage, which
if left unattended could cause diseases. |
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NATURAL FERTILIZERS: Bird droppings (especially
water birds) have high nitrates and phosphates, which
have a great commercial value as fertilizers!!
INDICATORS: Birds are also called the Litmus
paper of the environment. The presence or absence of a
particular bird, its physical appearance, behaviour
etc can help in assessing the health of the
environment. E.g. If Black Winged Stilts are present
in a water body, it is an indication that the water is
polluted!!
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Apart from these, birds are food providers
(eggs, meat) to man and other animals.
In fact, the nest of a bird named
Indian Edible-nest Swiftlet made out of its own
saliva is eaten in many parts of the world!!
Passenger Pigeons have been employed in the past
to send messages; Cock fights; bird feathers etc
have been widely used. Birds also have an
aesthetic appeal- the grace of a Peacock and
call of a Cuckoo is known to one and all.
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BIRD IN DANGER |
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Our exploitation of birds and their habitats have led
to a dwindling of both their diversity and
population. About 70% of birds are negatively
affected due to deforestation, pollution,
extensive use of pesticides, poaching, habitat
fragmentation, etc. Most birds are so adapted to
their surroundings that any change in the
habitat has deleterious effects on them. Dodo,
Passenger Pigeons and other birds have become
things of the past. If we don’t help these
winged creatures, we will lose many more birds
in the near future. |
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Realizing the need to introduce
children to the diverse world of birds and
sensitize them to the problems faced by these
winged creatures, CLEAN-India has initiated
Birding in several schools of Delhi, which is
based on the assessment, awareness and action
mode and aims to: |
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Familiarize the students with
the diverse avifauna that is present in their
surroundings viz. their school, neighbourhood,
different types of habitats like wetlands,
woodlands etc.
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· Help
them identify birds as indicators of the health
of the ecosystem and as flagship species.
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· Generate
data about the bird population, diversity
in an area and identify causes for any
changes in the trend, ultimately aiding in
the decision making for action towards
prioritization of conservation.
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Create mass awareness by increasing
participation at community level by
organizing campaigns against sale of
caged birds, exotic pets, sale of
feathers, protection of habitats
etc. |
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Identify the various problems faced
by the birds and take remedial
actions by putting into practice
various conservation steps to
maintain and increase bird diversity
in an area. |
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SAVE THE AVES
What can we
do to help them? |
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˙ Create bird refuges:
Plant bird friendly trees
/plants like Red Silk Cotton,
Indian Coral, Peepal, Flame of
the Forest etc.
Install Bird Boxes, Feeders,
Bird Baths, Duck ponds in your
compound. |
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Adopt injured birds. Pay visits to
bird/animal hospitals. |
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Do not buy caged birds, exotic pets,
products made of bird
feathers, claws etc. Report the illegal
sale to police. |
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Act against pollution, crackers, use of chemical
insecticides etc.
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Enthuse others to join you in birding and make
bird clubs to know more about birds, identify
their problems and take remedial actions. |
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Befriend
the nature’s friend!! |
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