Many people derive great pleasure, fulfillment and inspiration from watching birds and listening to them. But birds are also an intricate component of ecosystems, which we need for our own survival. Ecosystems such as forests and the marine environment provide us with food, medicines and important raw materials. They keep the climate stable, oxygenate air and transform pollutants into nutrients. Birds play an important role in the effective functioning of these systems. As birds are high up in the food chain, they are also good indicators of the general state of our biodiversity. When they start disappearing, it means that something is wrong with our environment and that we need to take action.
Ecosystems are communities of interacting organisms and their environment. They can be small (a single pond or patch of woods) or enormous (The Amazon Jungle or Pacific Ocean).
The “services” that ecosystems provide us form the foundation of our economies and healthy lives. Without clean air, water, and soil, and vibrant, inter-connected natural processes, many parts of the world’s ecosystems would falter
We admire birds for their beauty, songs, and the grace of their near miraculous ability to fly, but are birds important to the ecosystem?
Yes! Birds provide many direct and indirect contributions to the environment (often called “Ecosystem Services”).
- Many ecologically important plants require pollination by birds, especially hummingbirds, in order to successfully reproduce.
- Many species of conifers are spread largely by birds such as Clark’s Nutcrackers and Pinyon Jays, and fruit-eating birds likewise aid the germination and spread of hundreds of species of plants and trees.
- Hawks and owls are great consumers of pests such as rodents, while flycatchers and their allies consume many tons of insects each year.
In addition, bird watching and related eco-tourism is a major economic force in many parts of the country. On a less quantitative level, birds provide humans with pleasure, joy, and spiritual inspiration merely by their presence. Birds are
also excellent indicators of environmental health. Before “the canary in the coal mine” was a cliché, underground workers really did take canaries with them to provide early detection against carbon monoxide and other gases. In the natural world, because they are relatively abundant, easily observed, and have a rapid metabolism and high position on the food chain, birds can provide clues to otherwise difficult to detect processes. Declines in Peregrine Falcons and Bald Eagles provided important information about the dangers and spread of DDT and heavy metals. But perhaps the most important reason to study birds is to further our understanding of the ecosystems that support all life on earth, including humans. To continue to live sustainably and have a healthy planet, we must understand how the natural systems on which we depend function. Birds are a critical element to nearly every ecosystem on earth, and their fate is intertwined with ours.
A healthy ecosystem depends upon the synergy of its parts and birds play important roles in many ecosystems. One of the best examples of how birds con tribute to the health of an eco-system is their role as biological controls. Birds, especially song-birds, eat vast quantities of in-sects each year. Birds are also critical in seed dispersal and some birds even function as pollinators.
Birds add life, sound and colour to our lives. Watching wild birds is often a diversion from the pressures of our daily lives. We even value birds that we personally will never see; it is comforting and uplifting just knowing that our world includes birds that can offer joy in our lives.
Birds provide intangible aesthetic enjoyment and enrich our lives with their presence. This intangible value comes from knowing our world is still large and healthy enough to support a variety of bird species.
Birds are recognized as one of the most important indicators of the state of the environment. Because they are sensitive to habitat change and because they are easy to census, birds are the ecologist’s favourite tool.
Changes in bird populations are often the first indication of environmental problems. Whether ecosystems are managed for agricultural production, wildlife, water, or tourism, success can be measured by the health of birds. A decline in bird numbers tells us that we are damaging the environment through habitat fragmentation and destruction, pollution and pesticides, introduced species, and many other impacts.
Birds are a part of the balance of nature. There is strong interdependence between all living things in the gigantic web of life and the removal of even the smallest form of life may in time endanger the entire structure.
The conditions of clean air, food, healthy plants and safe places to raise young that make good homes for birds and other wildlife, also make good homes for people; a habitat good for birds is a good environment for people.
In addition to the joys they bring to people’s lives, birds are also valuable for economic reasons. Birds have ecological value as important elements of natural systems.
Birds provide insect and rodent control, plant pollination, and seed dispersal which result in tangible benefits to people. Insect outbreaks can annually destroy hundreds of millions of dollars of agricultural and forest products. Purple Martins have long been known as an effective means to substantially reduce insect pest populations without the health and environmental costs (not to mention the economic costs) of harmful pesticides.
Birds play a critical role in reducing and maintaining populations of insects in natural systems. Birds eat up to 98% of budworms and up to 40% of all non‐outbreak insect species in eastern forests. These services have been valued at as much as $5,000 per year per square mile of forest, potentially translating into literally billions of dollars in environmental services.
Many farmers know the role birds play in helping to control agricultural pests. Birds can destroy up to 98% of over-wintering codling moth larvae, a major pest of apples worldwide.
PROVIDE CLEAN WATER
Birds need a clean source of water for drinking and bathing. Clean feathers help keep a bird cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
GIVE THEM SHELTER
Pine, cedar trees, shrubs and tall grasses provide shelter for many songbirds and raptors. Even dead trees & branches provide shelter for cavity nesting birds. Plans for species-specific houses & boxes can be found online. A simple brush pile near your feeders is also important for giving birds protection from predators.
FEED THE BIRDS
To attract different birds, offer a variety of seeds, suet, nec-tar, nuts, etc. The kind of feeder you use—hopper, plat-form, tube, etc. will also help determine the kinds of birds you attract. Finches prefer thistle seed, while black
sun-flower seeds appeal to many species of birds. Remember, keep feeders clean to prevent disease
SUPPORT CONSERVATION
Quality bird conservation requires work in the area of research, habitat & education. Donate.
OUR AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
* To be a united and effective representative body to liaise with, assist and advise all levels of government on all matters pertaining to bird keeping.
* To monitor the activities of agencies, groups and persons to detect, avoid, deter or counter threats or potential threats to, or limitations on the activities of, bird keeping
* To respect the ownership, keeping, breeding and trading of birds. * To elevate and promote high standards of competency in bird keeping.
* To strive for self-regulation in order that the hobby of aviculture remains free of unnecessary and cumbersome restrictions.
* To oppose any form of illegal trafficking of birds.
* To assist and promote the conservation of all birds, specially endangered species.
* To do all such things and activities, as are consistent with and permitted by the Associations Incorporation Act 1984, that promote the above aims and objectives
BIRDS CLUB INTERNATIONAL, GASCK UNIT
Report on inauguration, 06 January 2022
Birds Club International, GASCK Unit initiated its activities at Govt Arts & science College Kozhinjampara, Nattukal, and Palakkad. The birds club inauguration ceremony was held on 6th January 2022 at college auditorium. The club was officially inaugurated and presided by our college principal Smt. Amala A.K in this year. In this ceremony, birds club co-ordinator Dr. Senthil. N Presented welcome speech, Sri.Ramesh.K (IQAC Co-ordinator), Dr.Vijayan.KTV (HoD of Microbilogy), Smt.Umamakheshwari.K (HoD of Tamil), Dr. Nisha Lakshmi, (HoD of Hindi) and Sajeesh Kumar.M (HoD of Physical Education) were felicitated the function. Sri. Abhilash Ravindran (Bird Enthusiast and Columnist) delivered a Valuable speech on “Why Should we look at Birds”. He briefed about different types of birds and how to taken care of birds. The speech was more interesting and inflammatory also. In the end, he had a discussion with the students about the current situation about the birds. Finally, Vinaya 3rd BSc Micro Biology Student, a member of birds club thanked all the invited Guests and participants. Around 120 Students including 38 club members were participated in inaugural Function.
Birds Feeding
As part of Birds Club Activity, we started an initiative to provide food and water to the birds in our college campus on 28 January 2022. Around 37 Students including club members participated in the function. Dr. Senthil.N Birds Club co ordinator delivered the welcome speech. The Principal in charge Mr.Chribuna Viswas P.S (Dept of English) presided over the function and gave a speech on “Preservation of Birds in summer season”. Sri. Ramesh K (IQAC Co-ordinator), Dr. Srividya S (Dept of English), Sri. Prasanth K.V (Dept. of English) we have established many water pots and food bowls for the birds in all part of the college campus. Finally, Arul.R 1st B.A Tamil student, a member of birds club thanked all guests and participants for gracing the occasion with their solemn presence.
A Bird Photography Training Camp
As a part of bird’s club activity, we organised a bird photography training camp on 19-03-2022. We are started this program in the morning around 7 A.M to 9 A.M. In this camp, Krishna Moorthy M ., the Birds enthusiast, Birds Photographer and Trainer, Samgra Shiksha Kerala, Chittur BRC talked to the students about the sound of birds and birds living in this locality. He also trained the students, how to capture a good photo of birds. He also talks about bird’s photography and its techniques. The bird’s club members are interested to learn new things about the birds the bird’s life and its photography.
Birds Photography Competition
We conducted a bird’s photography competition in our college. The topic of the bird’s photography was “Birds In Our Campus”. The photos are allowed to taken from 21-03-2022 to 25-03-2022. Finally, the winners of this competition are Mohammad Ismail. R (B.A Tamil I-year) got the first prize, Rasheek Basha M (B.A Tamil II-year) got Second Prize and Arul R. and Arnold A. won the third prize.
Mohammad Ismail. R (B.A Tamil I-year) 1ST Prize
Rasheek Basha M (B.A Tamil II-year) 2ND Prize
Arul R. (B.A Tamil I-year) 3RD Prize
Arnold A. (B.A Tamil I-year) 3RD Prize