Posts Tagged ‘bird species’
Are The Birds A Scary Species?
If you were to walk outside and see a flock of song birds, then you probably would be in admiration and awe of their beauty. But walk outside and see a murder of crows or a flock of seagulls and instantly the movie “The Birds” comes to mind. Some species have gotten the short end of the stick. Perhaps a lot has to do with how these species have been portrayed in moves and in literature. It has tainted the mind with dark images of death and portents of doom.
Light tales of love from Disney or twisted tales of doom by poets such as Edgar Allen Poe have kept the crow/raven in its sinister spot. In “Sleeping Beauty” by Disney, the villainess has a pet crow/raven that is used as her evil spy. Poe had his raven that kept crying “nevermore” in his piece titled quite apropos “The Raven.” Maybe it is the fact that crows travel in packs called murders. The birds portrayed in these classic works of fiction have certainly made their mark in our minds.
The wild bird definitely deserves some respect. It is just like other wild animal. You have to keep in mind that it is territorial, will defend itself and has to find a food source. And while crows/ravens have received some bad press thanks to authors and filmmakers, vultures and other carrion eating birds have repulsed mankind for eons. This bird species is a scavenger. Anytime you see vultures or buzzards circling in the air, you know that there is either something dying or something that has already died. Most people do not set up bird feeders to attract these types of birds. They want colorful birds, songbirds and delicate hummingbirds to grace their gardens and yards.
Perhaps it is time that people got over their fear of the birds that have gotten such a tough break in literature and movies. You do not have to worry about going outside and a murder of crows attacking you for no reason. The raven is not a symbol of death or a portent of bad things ahead. They are just two legged, winged wild animals that serve a specific function in the animal kingdom.
Taking A Look At The Birds Of Prey Power
If you were in a group of people and asked each person what animal they would most like to be, then you could likely bank on the fact that few, if any, would want to be a bird. Most people associate birds with either domesticated fowl that is eaten or the small songbirds that flit around the yard. Yet if you really give it some thought, birds of prey are incredibly impressive. These birds are smart, fast and strong, and have keen senses. Let someone else choose to be a lion; if you go with a bird of prey you will definitely have the upper hand.
The birds of prey group is a large and diverse family. There are many variations found within this group. It is easy to realize that a big bird, such as the Eagle, is a bird of prey. But even small hunters such as falcons and hawks are members of this family. They are relatively small but they are just as dangerous. The Eagle itself is a enormous bird with a wingspan that ranges from 72-96 inches and it can weigh up to 15 pounds. With their sharp beaks and talons there is not much prey that escapes them.
While the Eagle family has some of the largest birds, there are other groups that are predators as well. You have undoubtedly heard of people using falcons and hawks as game birds. This is not a reference to someone eating the birds but instead it is the birds that are used as hunting weapons. It is not easy to gentle a falcon or a hawk. These are wild birds that come equipped with razor sharp talons and beaks that can easily tear flesh. Gentling a hunting bird requires time and a lot of patience. They have to be trained to return to their coop or the hunter’s gloved arm.
Birds of prey fascinate most people once they become aware of the bird’s incredible abilities. They have keen eyesight, a sharp sense of hearing and can quickly target their intended prey. The power of these birds is hard to measure as each family of birds differs in some way. So the next time someone wants to know what kind of animal you would like to be, definitely go with a bird of prey as your choice. You will far outclass any other animal someone lists.
Helping You Locate Birds
Having a hobby is not hard to do. It is hard, however, to find a hobby that fits in with your busy lifestyle and desires. If you like the outdoors and enjoy interacting with nature, then you may want to consider bird watching. After all, there are over 10,000 species of birds in the world. Even if you live in the middle of a metropolitan area, you can still find different bird species. It is a hobby that can be a real passion.
Birds range in size. Sometimes a bird is easy to spot based solely on the size. Take for example the ostrich. The ostrich is the largest bird in the species. You will not even need a set of birding binoculars to see this huge example. But on the opposite end of the spectrum are the hummingbirds, which range in size from a few inches in diameter to the size of a bumble bee. Even if the bird is sitting still, you would have trouble spotting it. When it is in flight and zipping around you only get a brief glimpse unless you have special hummingbird feeders set up in your yard to attract them.
If you are a real fan of birds, then you will undoubtedly take steps to attract them to your garden or yard. Even if you live in an apartment with a small patio or balcony you can still find bird feeders to lure certain species in. But you need to take into consideration the type of bird you want to attract. If you are hoping to attract a blue bird then you do not need a feeder that caters to swallows. The more that you put into researching the type of bird you want around your home, the more you will know about their particular eating habits. One further note: make sure that you buy bird feeders that squirrels cannot get into.
Birds are not for everyone. Some people just do not like the species. However, if you do love watching these wild animals in their own habitats, then you will definitely enjoy being a bird watcher. Do not worry about how many there are to see. Just concentrate on having a good time and enjoying yourself. It gets you out of the house and it will do your body and mind good to get outside and get some exercise.
The Bird Eye – An Organ Wild Animals Cannot Survive Without
The bird has definitely influenced culture and how things are represented. Take for example the phrase that “this is for the birds.” It refers to a plan, idea or action that is crazy. Companies that offer satellite viewing of different areas often advertise using the term “bird’s eye view.” But how much do people actually know about a bird eye? Fortunately, science has identified what makes the bird’s eyes so special. After all, it is a vital part of the bird’s anatomy that can mean the difference between life and death.
The bird eye and the human eye share many of the same structures. Both eyes have many of the same functions as well. A few of the basic structures of a bird’s eye, no matter the species of birds, are cornea, retina, anterior chamber, iris, lens, and eyelids. Humans have these same structures but the difference is how the structures work. Take for example the size of the eye. A human eye is only 1% of their body. A starling’s eye is 15% of its body. Birds can see a great deal better than humans but we do have the advantage of being able to move our eyes.
The size of the eye depends on the bird species. Owls, for example, have huge eyes that allow them to take in more at once. For a wild bird that is important because it means that they can spot enemies and their prey much easier. Owls cannot move their eyes so they rotate their heads. How far do they rotate their heads? They rotate a whopping 200 degrees. Another difference to be found is the number of eyelids a bird has over humans. The human eye only has an upper and lower eyelid.
All species of birds have three eyelids. They have an upper, lower and a nictitating membrane that cleans and protects the eye. Another difference is in the positioning of the eyes. Humans and most wild animals, especially predators, have eyes that are not as centralized as a bird’s eye. A bird’s eye is on the front of the skull and they lack the ability to see very far to the sides. This is why birds turn their heads often.
Human’s can get by without their eyesight. There are many devices and advancements in medical science that allow for humans to compensate for vision loss. Wild birds do not have this luxury. If their eyesight is damaged, then they will undoubtedly starve or die without outside help from a conservation or rescue group. The bird eye may just be an organ but it is one that these two legged, winged wild animals cannot live without.