Posts Tagged ‘wild animals’
The Bird Icon Will Always Be A Part Of Society
It is pretty easy to take birds for granted. Sure, you put out bird feeders to attract some swallows or other local birds but have you ever taken into consideration how much of a role these wild animals have had in culture? They have been a constant in a changing world. Images of birds can be found in every major religion. They have held symbolic meanings in literature, movies and music. If you actually think about it, birds surround you every day. In the past they were highly regarded and even today modern man has a healthy respect for the role that the bird plays.
The bird image played a huge role in the Egyptian pantheon of gods and goddesses. Horus, the son of Isis and Osiris, is featured as a man with a falcon head. His image and presence was worshiped throughout ancient Egypt. In Southern Egypt he was worshipped more than towards the Northern provinces. His responsibility was to the sky and to protect people from Set, who was the god of storms, chaos and the desert. Horus has a pretty important role in Egyptian mythology. He was said to have dominion over the sun and the moon. By worshipping him, people could gain his protection. It also did not hurt that Horus became known as the god over war.
Exotic birds such as the falcon have always claimed humanity’s attention. Wild birds are the epitome of freedom. They sail through the skies without masters and do as they wish. They cannot be truly tamed. Even those that use falcons and hawks as gaming birds know that these species of birds can turn vicious and unpredictable if they are not treated properly and trained well. It can take years for a falcon or a hawk to be gentled. Perhaps that is why you do not see many people trying to own these birds. In medieval times it was common for lords to become falconers.
A bird icon or symbol will forever be part of society. There was even a song written about this graceful animal. Granted it is a rather humorous song that tends to get stuck in your head but it is still a party favorite and children love it. “The Birds the Word” recently has been seen on “The Family Guy.” And who can forget that “the bird” is a gesture of obscenity in most of the world. It may not be one that wild birds or domesticated birds want associated with their species, but it is here to stay. Our fascination with birds will continue and flourish as more people become interested in birding tours or even the history of birds.
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.
Have You Ever Thought Of Wild Birds As Pets?
It seems as if birds of the wild have always intrigued mankind. For thousands of years humans have looked to the skies for inspiration. Where would we be without the bird to show us how to fly and provide inspiration that we could fly ourselves? Many people see exotic birds or wild birds and want to domesticate them so that they can be enjoyed all of the time. Certain species are easily domesticated and have been made into pets. But not every bird is destined for a cage, as some are just not meant to be caged.
Wild birds include a wide variety of species. In fact, there are 10,000 different species of birds living on the planet right now. Some you can find at zoos that have a special bird house or exhibit. But in case you missed the lectures given by wildlife professionals, here is a bit of information that you might want to consider. For many years it was considered trendy and alternative to own a crow or a raven. This species of bird is completely black and has been written about many times. Many owners of this species of bird would slit the birds tongue because they thought it would make them speak in the same manner as a parrot. Unfortunately, movies often portrayed the raven or crow as a speaking bird. This damages the bird and can cause it great pain. It can also interfere with the bird’s eating habits. Take a pass on this bird if you are lonely and just want to talk; buy a Ham radio and try communicating with other humans.
Some birds of the wild have been successfully domesticated. The parrot is a great example of a wild bird that has found its way into many homes. Unfortunately, not all parrot owners are aware of the great responsibility it takes to train this bird. You have to know how to care for it appropriately and you have to know the correct way to train the parrot if you want it to talk. Far too many parrots wind up in rescue groups because their owners did not know what they were getting into.
Birds of certain species do make great pets. It is because they have been heavily domesticated. No, you do not have to own a chicken. You can own birds such as canaries or parakeets and have a great pet. But even with these domesticated species, you still have to know how to take care of them. It can and probably will bite and scratch until you have it trained. Many owners become frustrated because they cannot get their bird trained properly. The key is to gain as much knowledge as possible before you make that purchase.
Birding Is A Great Relaxing Pastime
Most people do not have a lot of time to devote to a hobby. Even if they do, with these uncertain economic times, they may not have the money in their budget to spend on a pastime, yet there has to be one that is relaxing and does not require a lot of money. Actually, there is a hobby that fits this description. Birding is a great way for people to get an upfront view of what nature has to offer.
Birding may seem boring at first to those that have no interest in wild animals. But once you take into account how many wild birds are around you each day, it becomes a challenge to see how many you can spot. From there you begin walking through forests and fields trying to check more birds off of your list. This is a hobby that can include the entire family. Kids will be glad to help you point out a species of bird when they see it. They may not be quiet about it but you will definitely enjoy just being outside together.
If you have never been bird watching before, then there are a few things you need to know. You first need to know about the birds in your area. More than likely there will be several birds that are native to your part of the world. A great way to start seeing these birds is to put up some bird feeders. The bird feeders will draw in the native birds and provide them with sustenance. You can create your own bird sanctuary right in your backyard. Before you place a lot of feeders around your yard and garden, you need to consult your local gardening center about what type of feeder is best for a certain type of bird. You will also need some advice on how to keep pesky squirrels from robbing the feeder. Another great way to lure birds to your home is by putting up bird houses. These houses are built specifically for each type of bird.
Birding is a wonderful hobby. You do not have to go all out and join a bird watching group. You can enjoy many bird species from your own back yard. If you do decide that you need more information on spotting birds, then you can always turn to the National Audubon Society. Your local bookstore or library will have many books that can teach you everything that you need to know about any type of bird. The books can also help you find the right equipment if you decide to go out in the field.
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.