Scrub Jay Festival 2010

The Scrub Jay Festival 2010, will take place on 20 February, and is an initiative that is hosted by the Lyonia Environmental Center to raise awareness for the plight of the Scrub Jay. It is a bird that is only found in Florida, and nests in habitats where scrub is in abundance. They are currently a threatened species, with encroachment on their habitat being a major threat, and the festival hopes to educate the public on this unique bird. Guided walks, talks to promote conservation, live music performances and activities for children will keep festival goers entertained and amazed throughout the day.

To find out more about the festival and its activities, contact the Lyonia Environmental Center direct, of visit their website at http://lyoniapreserve.com/LEC1-6-10.htm.

Date: 20 February 2010
Venue: Lyonia Environmental Center
City: Deltona, Florida
Country: United States of America

Chainat “Hoon Fang” Straw-Bird Festival 2010

With hay being a by-product cultivated by farmers, forming bird shaped stacks with hay, has become an art form in the Chainat Province. It has led to the annual Chainat “Hoon Fang” Straw-Bird Festival, where villagers transform hay into colorful and detailed bird designs, each trying to win top honors at the festival. Massive birds of all shapes, color and specie are displayed on the lawns of the festival, and the best designers compete in different categories such as village handicraft and young talent. The festival is also accompanied by light shows and lively performances. Another nearby attraction, also visited by festival goers, is the large Chainat Bird Park, where a variety of over 200 bird species can be seen.

To find out more about this festival, filled with birds of a different kind of feather, contact the Thailand Tourism Authority on +66 (0) 3553 6030 or by email at tatsuphan@tat.or.th.

Date: 16 – 22 February 2010
Venue: Various
City: Chainat
Country: Thailand

Port Susan Snow Goose and Birding Festival 2010

The Port Susan Snow Goose and Birding Festival 2010, will take place on the 20th and 21st of February 2010. It offers two days of bird related activities and fun, and special events for children have also been included in the festival line-up, making it a fun experience for the entire family. An exclusive feature for the festival, is the Great Northwest Glass Quest, where festival goers will be able to participate in a treasure hunt for dated and signed snowballs made of glass. Other activities such as workshops, tours and guest speakers will also be available.

To register for the event, or for additional information, visit the official Port Susan Snow Goose and Birding Festival 2010 website at http://www.snowgoosefest.org/Home.html.

Date: 20 – 21 February 2010
Venue: Four Springs Lake Preserve
City: Camano Island
Country: United States of America

Anting Behavior in Birds

Anting is a form of bird behavior that has yet to be explained by researchers and scientists. Even though hundreds of bird species engage in anting all over the world, no-one has been able to confirm the reason why birds choose to do so.

Anting can take on different forms. Some birds will pick up ants in their beaks and rub the ant over their feathers, after which they eat the ant; while others will open their wings and lie down over an active anthill and allow ants to climb up onto them. But it does seem that one part of anting remains consistent: birds prefer using ants that produce folic acid. Ants use the folic acid their bodies produce as a defense mechanism, which they spray at their attackers, but at the same time provides birds with a certain something that scientists would love to discover.

One theory on anting is that the folic acid could be used as a fungicide, bactericide and as an insect repellent, while others choose to believe that it is the vitamin D content in the acid that birds are after. This leads to another unanswered question: why do birds sometimes use alternative anting tools, such as millipedes and fruit? Some scientists believe that anting is used to preen feathers and helps prevent the drying out of their plumage, but then one again has to ask, that if only some birds include anting in their behavior, could preening really be the answer? Another suggestion that has been made is that anting has an intoxicating effect, as some birds have been known to shake and loose control over their ability to walk. Anting has been documented in a variety of species including crows, babblers, weavers, owls, turkeys, waxbills and pheasants to name but a few. And for all the research done and no lack of theories, it seems the human race will have to be satisfied with the fact that the mystery behind anting might elude us forever, and remain a small secret that nature is not willing to share.

Introduction to Birdwatching 2009

For bird lover who have never been brave enough to take on the challenge of bird watching, the Introduction to Birdwatching 2009 is the perfect opportunity to start this hobby. This magnificent informative event will not only explore the natural wonders of the park, but teach those participating, how to look for birds, and share tips and educational information.

The Introduction to Birdwatching 2009 will start at 12:00 pm in the afternoon and take an hour and a half to complete. For more information in regard to the park and future events, kindly visit the website at http://www.prospectpark.org/.

Date: 24 October 2009
Venue: Prospect Park
City: New York
Country: United States of America

FWCAS Parrot Symposium 2009

The second annual Florida West Coast Avian Society Parrot Symposium will be held at the Sarasota Hyatt on the 7th and 8th of November 2009. Everything bird enthusiasts might want to know will be discussed at the 2009 FWCAS Parrot Symposium with guests speakers such as Cassie Malina talking about Operant Conditioning Training, behavior being discussed by Sally Blanchard and Glenn Reynolds bringing conservation awareness to the symposium, from the World Parrot Trust. The FWCAS Parrot Symposium is a celebration of birds and an opportunity to promote awareness and correct care for exotic birds.

Date: 7 – 8 November 2009
Venue: Sarasota Hyatt
City: Sarasota, Florida
Country: United States of America

The Mini Bird Race 2009

The Mini Bird Race 2009 will be hosted by the Borneo Highlands Resort, with the support of the Malaysian Nature Society, on the 4th of October 2009. Contrary to what one might expect the Mini Bird Race 2009 to consist of, only wild birds a part of this event, as it is held to promote bird species and the conservation of nature. It will be the second time that this event is hosted, because of its previous success, and the Mini Bird Race sees teams face off against each other in a race of knowledge and good bird spotting skills. Each team has a limit time to find, record and identify as many bird species as possible.

The Mini Bird Race 2009 is an extremely fun and exciting event and offers spectators the opportunity to enjoy the company and activities with fellow bird lovers. For more information in regard to this event, visit the official website at http://borneohighlands.com.my/birdrace2009.html.

Date: 4 October 2009
Venue: Penrissen Range, Borneo Highlands Resort, Kuching
City: Sarawak
Country: Malaysia

Feed the Birds Day 2009

On the 24th and 25th of October 2009, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds will be trying to offer more than a hundred locations for bird enthusiasts to get together to take part in the Feed the Birds Day 2009 project. Visitors to the event will learn how to take care of the wild birds in their gardens, being educated on food, nests and a variety of other ways the public can assist in the conservation and protection of wild birds, from the comfort of their own back yard.

For more information on your nearest venue location and the Feed the Birds Day 2009 initiative, kindly visit the Royal Society of the Protections of Birds website at http://www.rspb.org.uk/feedthebirds/index.asp or contact them on 01767 680 551 (office hours).

Date: 24 – 25 October 2009
Venue: Various
City: Various
Country: United Kingdom

BOAF Bird Show 2009

The Annual BOAF Bird Show will take place on the 26th of September 2009, at the Sheraton Wayfarer Conference Center and is a popular event for bird breeders and birding enthusiasts. Two halls are made available during the show, one with vendors and the other with exhibitors. A wide variety of bird species will be on display and vendors will be able to provide festival goers with bird related products and items.

For more information in regard to the show kindly visit the official Birds of a Feather website at http://www.boaf.com/birdShow.htm.

Date: 26 September 2009
Venue: Sheraton Wayfarer Conference Center
City: Bedford
Country: United States of America

Education

To be a true bird enthusiast you need to have a basic education on birds.

Here we cover everything from bird anatomy, conservation, the evolution of birds as well as extinct and rare birds. We hope to provide you with expert advice and opinions to help you become a better bird enthusiast and better carer for your bird.

Understanding the basic behavior of birds and their patterns, will also help you become a more accomplished bird watcher.

Check back soon as we’re adding more articles every day!

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