Top 8 Reasons to Love Birds

Birds are undeniably fascinating to the vast majority of people. There’s a good reason why there are enough bird enthusiasts in the World alone to support a multi-billion-dollar birdseed and bird feeder industry. Studies by the government have found that there are 40-50 million people in the World who say they watch birds either in their backyards or at other locations. For evidence, take a walk around the average suburban neighbourhood and count how many homes have bird feeders, birdhouses, or bird baths. You’ll be amazed at how prevalent they are.

Of course, we have our informal gauge of the number of people who are interested in birds. At any gathering where people know we know something about birds, we are peppered with questions about birds. Bird lovers are always interested in these questions and know about birds. 

Why are birds famous?

Here are the 8 top reasons why, in our opinion, people are so intrigued by birds.

They’re Smart : 

The term ‘bird brain’ is really a misnomer. Birds are actually very intelligent! One bird, appropriately named Einstein, learned over 200 words and phrases. Studies have also shown ravens and crows to be highly intelligent and capable of solving fairly complex problems and puzzles.

They’re OK With Small Spaces:

Quieter birds can be a great match for someone who lives in an apartment. Polly will need time out of her cage every day, but she doesn’t necessarily need a huge space to explore.

Birds Do Interesting Things:

Top 8 Reasons to Love Birds

Billions of birds do one of the most mind-blowing things on the planet: They travel thousands of miles each fall and spring in migration, which in itself is astounding. But they also arrive back at the same places across the hemisphere year after year! Some birds have elaborate, even bizarre (to us), courtship displays—the drumming of the ruffed grouse, the sky dance of the American woodcock, or the elaborate, mind-blowing bowers of the bowerbird (Google it sometime!). They build nests—have you ever stopped to look closely at those miraculous little cups during a mid-winter walk when you see an old nest in a bare bush? We bet you have! Birds are so interesting that ornithologists have barely scratched the surface of bird behaviour.  

Birds Are Colorful:

We humans love bright colours—especially the vibrant, colourful plumages of birds. Few people are unmoved by the sight of a bright red male cardinal, especially as we see them in Maine against the stark white of a snow-covered landscape. Eye-popping orange Baltimore orioles, deep blue indigo buntings, and all the yellows, oranges, reds, and blues of warblers are a constant feast for the eyes. No wonder so many birds are named for their colours: blue jay, indigo bunting, yellow warbler, cerulean warbler, for example.

They’re Friendly:

Our winged friends are much friendlier and more affectionate than people realize. Polly can be just as cuddly as a dog or cat! You may be surprised at how much room these little creatures can take up in our hearts.

Birds Are Easy to See:

Sure, there are some birds for which this isn’t true, but most are visible to the naked eye if you are paying attention. Everybody, it seems, knows and loves great blue herons (see our recent column. Ditto for egrets, eagles, hawks, and gulls (OK, but gulls are at least recognized!). A great many smaller birds also don’t particularly try to conceal their presence and, in fact, live easily among people—robins, pigeons, mourning doves, song sparrows, chickadees, starlings. Others come obligingly to bird feeders where we can easily see them, including even birds like woodpeckers and finches.

Birds Make Beautiful Sounds:

Just as we enjoy their colours, we humans revel in our enjoyment of the songs and calls of birds. Some are recognizable to just about everyone—the yelping cry of a gull, the echoing yodel of a loon, the cooing of a pigeon, the hoarse “caw” of a crow, the loud “cheer-cheer-cheer” of the cardinal. Some bird songs provide the background sound of summer even if a person doesn’t know the identity of the singer. The whistled “Old Sam Peabody, Peabody, Peabody” is a familiar song across much of Maine, even though there are many who don’t know that the singer is a white-throated sparrow.

They’re Everywhere:

Once you get attuned to birds, you may find yourself noticing them everywhere you go. You may even enjoy doing some birdwatching. You don’t have to go crazy: see if you like identifying your backyard birds with an app. That said, if you’re interested in birdwatching, have at it! This can be a great hobby. It can get you outdoors, giving you a chance to unplug and reconnect with nature and help you feel more connected to your local area. Give it a try!