Recent news reports have indicated that bird-watching has become a popular hobby during the coronavirus pandemic. As more people are emerging from quarantines and are venturing out as stay-at-home orders are being lifted or rolled back, they are flocking to the great outdoors and finding a new appreciation for our feathered friends, perhaps even the ubiquitous pigeon and house sparrow. Avid birdwatchers have long known the physical and mental health benefits associated with their hobby. Bird watching can not only improve one’s cardiovascular health but it can also lift one’s spirit. Imagine the excitement of observing a species you have never seen before. Bird watching also gets people into the fresh air and helps them become more contemplative and meditative as they watch the trees or the marshes for the appearance of that long-expected bird.
Now is an even more exciting time than ever to turn our eyes to the skies. Spring and fall typically mark the peak bird migration periods here in the United States and elsewhere. Fittingly, tomorrow, May 9, 2020, is World Migratory Bird Day in the Americas (WMBD) , a program aimed at educating the public about migratory birds and the ways to protect them. This year’s theme, Birds Connect Our World, focuses on the tracking technology used to examine the routes followed by these migratory species and how it can be used to support conservation efforts. This year’s featured species includes: American Kestrel, Arctic Tern, Baird’s Sparrow, Barn Owl, Bar-Tailed Godwit, Calliope Hummingbird, Canada Warbler, Fork-Tailed Flycatcher, Northern Pintail, Purple Martin, Western Sandpiper, and Yellow-Breasted Chat. Of these species, about 8 of them can be found in or migrating through the Houston area or Gulf Coast region. We’re not telling you which ones, though. You’ll have to go to online to find out for yourself.
First created in 1993 by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center as International Migratory Bird Day, WMBD has expanded its focus to include the major migratory bird flyways: the African-Eurasian, the East Asian-Australasian, and the Americas. Each year throughout North America, on the second Saturday of May, Environment for the Americas coordinates a bird festival featuring events, programs, and activities. This year’s Bird Day LIVE events, however, will be going virtual. The festival will feature kid-friendly sessions, such as story times and movies, interactive quizzes, and speakers as well as sessions in Spanish. There are also plenty of resources on the WMBD website, including activity sheets and coloring pages. The Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute is also having a digital celebration of WMBD. It is hosting a “flash flock” to promote Bird Friendly® coffee farms and featuring fun activities on Facebook and Twitter. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has a lot of good educational resources on its website, not only for WMBD but also about birding in general. You can also read about the Urban Bird Treaty Program, of which Houston is a part. Speaking of Houston, the Houston Audubon Society is hosting an online WMBD event with presentations, workshops, art contests, and more.
Throughout the years, the federal government has recognized the importance of migratory birds and has enacted legislation protecting birds and their habitats. Key legislation includes: Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Endangered Species Act, Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, and North American Wetlands Conservation Act. The United States is also a party to two international treaties: Ramsar Convention and the Antarctic Treaty.
If all of this has inspired to you to take flight and head outdoors, there are plenty of resources to help you with bird identification skills:
