Bird
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A bird is a animal vertebrate, most species fly such as pigeons, sparrows or magpies.
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[edit] Birds' part in nature
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According to the species, to their natural habitat and feeding mode, birds will play various parts in their environment. However, the common point will be the sustainance and stability of the ecosystem and of the other species that live in it . Thus, in forests, les insectivores prevent the excessive proliferation of insects while frugivores participate in the dissemination of seeds.[1] [2]. Whether it be the birds that visit our gardens, birds of prey or sea birds, all play an essential part in the food chain.
[edit] Helping birds during the winter season
In winter, the food birds need becomes scarce (berries, insects...). We can help them by installing feeders and tables in our gardens with sunflower seeds, peanuts and suet balls. We can also plant trees or shrubs that produce berries in winter. This is the case with crabapple trees and mountain ash.
- When it gets really cold, remember to put water : puddles are frozen. Add hot water regularly in the basin or break the ice two or three times a day.
- As far as feeding is concerned, try and find the right compromise not to make them too dependant while meeting their needs. Stopping the feeding abruptly is not advised.[3] You can also opt for organic seeds : it doesn't really make sense to give food with residus of pesticides.....
- The design of the feeder and the place where you put it will make a difference, put various tables at different places so that each species can access comfortably without too much competition! Hung roofed tables will allow tits to feed without being chased by starlings.[4]
[edit] Helping birds during the nesting season
- Mind you don't trim your trees too much in Autumn so that birds can find the twigs they'll need in Spring.
- Don't put your garden furniture below a tree where birds nest not to stress the sitting mum or the chicks later.
- Leave water nearby, especially if the weather is dry.
- Ban pesticides, do not mow or cut the grass short : the wild little flowers that grow attract insects.
- Let wild shrubs grow naturally : they are the natural habitat of the local endemic species. (You can also select these local plants when you design your garden and check the endemic plants beforehand [5]).
- Do not use machines that destroy the birds that nest on the ground.
[edit] Migratory birds
- Check the migratory routes your area may be part of before taking a local initiative locale, even for green eco-friendly ones : eg, wind turbines would be treacherous hazards.[6]
- Be aware of our own individual responsibility : if the habitat that is used as a resting or roosting spot on the root of a given species is spoilt or damaged, the whole species is threatened. Suffice it to take one example with the greylag gooseen cendrée[7] and we realize that all the countries above which they fly share the responsibility for its survival and well being, there too, acting locally is bringing a global solution.
[edit] Acting locally
No need to be an ornithologist, we can easily get information from the local RSPB section [8] and we can also help by becoming a local bird watcher to report sightings when studies are led to assess numbers or behaviours in relation with the evolution of your local environment.[9]
- Get data about the local endemic species that are found in your area to better understand their way of life and so their needs in order to adapt the help you can provide all along the year and participate in their preservation, which itself means preserving your own environment as they're vital to its stability.
- If you have large windows, remember windowpanes are a devastating hazard , you'll easily find beautiful stickers to prevent bird strikes.
[edit] See also
In this article witness contributors propose further information .
[edit] Internal links
[edit] External links
- The Avibase
- Helping birds : advice from the RSPB
- Guide and identifier
- Us birds
- BBC documents
- Garden birds
- Library of bird songs
[edit] References
- ↑ Birds are regulators
- ↑ Birds play an essential part for the preservation of forests
- ↑ When to feed birds
- ↑ Selective feeders
- ↑ Planting for wildlife
- ↑ Windturbines harm birds
- ↑ The greylag goose migration route
- ↑ RSPB near you
- ↑ Help with campaigns
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