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A Bird’s Touch

Editor — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 07:45:35 +0000

Nature not only surrounds us with sheer beauty but also offers an abundance of fascinating new discoveries that continue to amaze us. Just when we think we know everything about an animal or bird, they seem to prove us wrong. More recently, birds have revealed that crests and beards are not merely used for finding a mate, but serve a greater purpose, allowing them to explore their surroundings as well. Research on birds, such as the auklet, has opened up a new door into the world of birds and their feathers.

Professor Ian Jones, St John’s Memorial University, and Dr Sampath Seneviratne, University of British Columbia, shared their insights and suspicions that certain feathers on a bird’s body could serve to heighten the sense of touch. When looking at birds, such as the auklet, which have intricate feathers on their heads, scientists found that by putting them through a simple navigational test, much was revealed in regard to the role that crests and head feathers play. Using a dark maze, as this breed tends to breed in dark crevices, it was found that when the birds navigated the test, they succeeded in completing the maze with less difficulty than when researchers flattened their head feathers. It was also noted that in general, if birds have ornamental feathering, they tend to be birds that are active at night.

Researchers then looked at bird species that do not feature elaborate feathering, including pheasants, kingfishers, parrots, penguins and owls. They suggest that even if some birds do not have crests and rectal bristles, longer wing feathers may also serve as a means of touch. Many birds use their feathers and coloring to show off their abilities and to either startle or camouflage themselves from their predators, but there is good reason to believe that feathers have various other functions that we have not been aware of until now. The new insight into facial feathers and flamboyant feathering could lead to further studies,to confirm these findings and the preliminary research. This use of their feathers for touch and orientation has revealed a more complex side to birds, and will have us gazing a little more intently whenever we look at these colorful creatures of the skies.

Sydney Royal Cage Bird Show 2010

Editor — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 08:51:51 +0000

Bird owners and breeders will be displaying their most prized birds at the Sydney Royal Cage Bird Show 2010, in the hope of winning this years’ prize. Entries for the show closed on 20 January, and visitors to the show can prepare themselves for a spectacular day of birds and tough competition. Different judges have been brought in to judge under the various categories, such as Colin Isbister for the African Lovebirds, Mr. J. Baker and Mr. A. MacCauley for Budgerigars, Mr. P. Southgate and Mr. J. Farr for Canaries and Mr. A. St Clair for Parrots.

For more information in regard to the judges, competition rules and vendors, visit the Sydney Royal website at http://www.sydneyroyalshows.com.au/.

Date: 31 March 2010
Venue: Wynne Pavilion, Sydney Showground
City: Sydney
Country: Australia

State Bird Fair and Expo 2010

Editor — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 08:48:41 +0000

Due to the ever increasing size of the State Bird Fair and Expo, this years’ event has moved to bigger premises, the RNA Showgrounds. Breeders come from far and wide to attend this fair, as it is the largest of its kind, which is held in Queensland. Exotic birds of all shapes and size will be on display, with many birds being available for purchase. Visitors to the show will also be able to purchase bird related products from the vendors and can look forward to fun events, such as the monster raffle and rare parrot expo.

The State Bird Fair and Expo 2010 is hosted by the Parrot Society of Australia, and will take place on the 28th of March 2010, from 10 am to 1 pm. For more information, visit their website at http://www.parrotsociety.org.au/.

Date: 28 March 2010
Venue: RNA Showgrounds
City: Fortitude Valley, Brisbane
Country: Australia

Exotic Bird Club of Florida Fair 2010

Editor — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 08:45:58 +0000

To discover the beauty of the exotic birds of Florida, the Exotic Bird Club of Florida Fair 2010 is the place to be. Hosted by the Exotic Bird Club of Florida on 14 March 2010, the fair will offer a magnificent variety of birds that will be on display and for sale. Various vendors will also be attending, selling products ranging from nutrition to bird cages and toys. Visitors to the fair can also look forward to raffle tables, snack bars and a grand prize draw.

For more information in regard to the Exotic Bird Club of Florida Fair, contact the club at info@exoticbirdclubofflorida.com.

Date: 14 March 2010
Venue: Greater Palm Bay Senior Centre
City: Palm Bay, Florida
Country: United States of America

Atlanta Exotic Bird Fair 2010

Editor — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:59:42 +0000

To marvel at a magnificent range of exotic birds of all shapes and colors, head down to the Atlanta Exotic Bird Fair on the 13th and 14th of March 2010. Here visitors will see birds such as eclectus, finches, cockatiels and canaries, and be able to browse through a variety of exhibitors that offer numerous bird care related products, including nutrition, toys, cages and educational information.

To find out more about this exciting bird show, queries can be directed to the North Atlanta Trade Centre, by email to Rhonda@natcshows.com.

Date: 13 – 14 March 2010
Venue: North Atlanta Trade Center
City: Atlanta
Country: United States of America

Birding at Algonquin Park in Ontario

Editor — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:07:23 +0000

The Algonquin Provincial Park was established in the year 1893 to protect the headwaters of the area’s five major rivers. The beauty and biodiversity of the park has inspired many books and paintings, and thousands of visitors are welcomed to the park each year. Located in one of the most picturesque areas of Ontario, Canada, the Algonquin Park offers tourists tranquility, beauty and a large variety of activities. One particularly popular activity in the park is bird watching.

The fact that Algonquin Park has approximately seven thousand insect species in the park might sound insignificant to some, but without the insects, the pollination of plant life would not happen and the habitats in which the birds and animals live would no longer exist. The varied vegetation provides both animal and bird life with vital resources. Also found in the park, are two forest types, namely the coniferous forests and southern hardwood forests, creating a home for a vast number of different birds. Visitors and avid bird watchers can therefore look forward to seeing birds such as the Brown Thrasher, Indigo Bunting, Spruce Grouse, Wood Thrush, Boreal Chikadee, Gray Jay, Common Loon and many others that form part of the 272 species in the park. In addition, the Algonquin Provincial Park offers bird related programs such as Birds in Winter, Owl Prowl and Bird Adaptations. Talks are also held in the evenings in the park’s outdoor theatre, covering a wide variety of topics related to the park. Guided tours are available as well as a bird species checklist.

After a day of bird watching visitors can explore other features at the park, such as the picnic areas, stores, bookstore, backpacking trails, museum, art centre, restaurants and beaches. There are also a few lodges in the park enabling visitors to extend their stay and maybe explore the breathtaking bird life found along the rivers on the canoe routes. Bird watching in Canada is a rewarding experience and the Algonquin Park offers visitors everything they could need for an unforgettable bird watching adventure and family vacation.

Scrub Jay Festival 2010

Editor — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 07:59:51 +0000

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

Editor — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 07:56:45 +0000

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

Editor — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 07:52:06 +0000

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

Editor — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 11:00:56 +0000

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.