Omkar Dattatray
Today, 5th January 2025 is the National Birds Day. Every year on 5th January India as well as the international community celebrates national bird Day .It is celebrated to raise awareness about the importance of birds to the ecosystem and to protect them from endangerment.
The Avian Welfare Coalition first observed National Bird Day in 2002 and since then ,it is observed and celebrated annually on 5th January.
The day aims to highlight the value of birds ,and the threats they face from habitat destruction, climate change ,and reduced food sources.
It also aims to establish a healthier relationship with birds and to show that they should not be kept as pets or caught for entertainment.
National Birds Day, which has American origin ,has been celebrated annually on January 5 since its inaugural event in 2002.
This particular day was chosen because January 5 also happens to be the day of the yearly “Christmas Bird Count”.’
This yearly national holiday has been observed in the USA for quite some time .National Birds Day is observed on 5 January to raise awareness about birds that are captured or produced in captivity for monetary gain or pleasure. The day prompts reflection on the interconnectedness between humans and these awe-inspiring creatures, emphasizing the need for global unity in their conservation. It is celebrated also to make people aware about the value of tiny tweets in the ecosystem.
The Avian Welfare Coalition, which works hard to promote awareness for birds that are captured or produced in captivity for either financial gain or for human amusement, is behind this initiative. Due to their close resemblance to the evolution of dinosaurs ,birds are regarded as living relics of the past. They are frequently keystone species in ecosystem and indicators of their health and vitality.
The Avian Welfare Coalition created National Bird Day in order to raise awareness of the struggles and plight of these significant animals as well as the ways in which we can start the change that is required to establish a healthier ,more sustainable relationship with them.
The 850 bird species that live in the United States are among the many different bird species that are honored on National Bird Day. Yes, they all have a beak, two wings, and feathers. But after that ,there are notable differences.
National Bird Day falls on the same day as three-Week -long Christmas Bird Count ,the world’s largest citizen science project that counts wild birds in the United States. Climate change, habitat loss, deforestation, and other factors that have a devastating impact on life are putting birds in danger.
These common crimes against birds are discussed and addressed in public on National Bird Day. People from America, India and other countries of the world participate in this event because raising awareness is one of its main purposes. A day when birds should be treated with utmost respect is indicated by this. We all have a chance on this day to spread the word about bird preservation and how to protect birds. The world’s bird population totals over 9800 species.
An individual cannot possibly see every single one of them! But on National Bird Day, anyone with an interest in birds can use this occasion to get a glimpse of the various bird species that are found nearby. National Bird day is an annual holiday with half a million adherents who celebrate through bird watching, studying birds, and other bird-related activities.
National Birds Day has been dedicated at least in part to raising awareness about birds that are held in captivity. Birds have profound religious and mythological importance in India. Because of its profound religious and mythological connection in Indian traditions, the peafowl was proclaimed India’s national bird in 1963, because the Hindu god Kartikeya rides on its back, this bird is revered by Hindus.
A brief note on Dolphin Declared National Aquatic Animal. The peacock was named the National Bird of India in 1963 because it is the most auspicious animal that embodies our country’s fauna and has a long history of religious and legendry significance in Indian culture.
The peacock is a magnificent creature with its beauty and grace ,and it embodies the national spirit whose colors are connected with Indian identity.
The National Birds Day is observed and celebrated to raise awareness about bird conservation and promote the appreciation of avian biodiversity.
The day also aims to prevent the extinction of bird species and highlight their importance in ecosystem. The National Birds Day can be celebrated in following ways-1-Read a book about birds, such as Sibley Guide to Birds or H for Hawk. 2-Read a novel that features birds, such as I know why the Caged Bird sings by Maya Angelou.3-Watch some birds. 4-Invite someone to join you in celebrating. 5-Post on social media using the hashtag National Bird Day.
The national bird of India is the Indian peacock -Pavo cristatus. Dr Salim Ali is known as the Birdman of India for his contributions to ornithology and bird conservation. Many bird species in India are threatened by habitat loss, pollution, and hunting.
Wetlands are home to many species of birds in India and are vital to sustaining the ecosystems that feed local bird populations. The day aims to raise awareness about the threats birds face, such as illegal trade ,climate change, and habitat destruction. National Bird Day is celebrated because we have used birds for their feathers ,as pets, and even as food.
In India, we also celebrate 12th November as National Bird Day as it is the birthday of Salim Ali the birdman of India.
The National Bird Day which is observed on 5th January every year reminds us of the need to protect birds and their habitats, and to raise awareness of the threats they face.
Bird adoption is a particularly important National Bird Day activity.
According to the newspaper Atlanta Journal -Constitution ,many bird enthusiasts celebrate by adopting birds and by educating future bird owners about the special issues involved with taking care of birds, including their” screaming, biting constant cleanups ,the need for daily interaction and a varied diet”.
The Avian Welfare Coalitions National Bird Day campaign aims to improve the welfare of parrots and other birds by discouraging their purchase as pets ,and encouraging the support of wild bird habitat conservation programs and captive bird rescue organizations and sanctuaries .In short we humans should play our role in conservation and protection of various birds and encourage awareness about their conservation.
Let us all take due care of birds and do nothing which results in threatening birds. Birds are an important part of the ecosystem and we should recognize and understand the necessity of wild life and other birds for human life. So we should treat birds with due care and caution. On the national bird day let us resolve to protect and conserve birds and this will lead to a befitting care for the birds and their rearing and upkeep as well as look after. We should learn to respect and in fact respect birds for their and our own good because after all there is interdependence between humans and birds.
(The author is a columnist, social, KP activist and freelancer)