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Birds remind us of the arrival of spring much more effectively than the calendar or the weather outside the window. At some point during the walk, we hear their gentle chirping and understand that the world is finally waking up after hibernation. And it is in spring that the whole world will celebrate International Bird Day 2023.
This ecological holiday is dedicated to the problems of birds: their illegal hunting, gradual extinction and extermination of certain species. Birds are important participants in all ecosystems familiar to us, their disappearance can lead to a real natural disaster. Therefore, all festive events dedicated to the Day of Birds are designed to remind us of the importance of birds in human life.
When is International Bird Day celebrated?
The annual holiday International Bird Day is celebrated on a fixed date – 1 April, 2023 will be no exception. The number was chosen for a reason, but with reference to the return of birds from the south to their native lands. Birds return home in late March – early April.
history of the holiday
The bird festival was first celebrated in the American city of Oil City in 1894. The event at the school was organized by a biology teacher. The idea was supported by local newspapers. Soon Bird Day was widely celebrated in the US and Europe.
In 1902, the International Convention for the Protection of Birds Important to Agriculture was signed in Paris. More than ten states were noted in it. And by 1906, the holiday took pride of place in the calendars of many countries around the world.
The idea of celebrating International Bird Day was also supported in Our Country. In tsarist times, the Geographical Society was engaged in the protection of birds. The people celebrated this holiday by baking muffins in the form of larks, as well as helping birds in the form of building “houses” for them.
In addition, the protection of birds was in the sphere of interests of the Society for the Acclimatization of Animals and Plants and the Society for the Protection of Animals. Youth organizations for the study and protection of birds were also created, for example, the May Unions.
This date has been celebrated every year since 1926. Although the war made its own adjustments, in 1948 the celebrations resumed.
Ornithologists warn that the extinction of birds will deal an irreparable blow to the entire ecosystem in which we exist. Every year more and more species of birds are included in the Red Book, now every 6th of them is endangered.
Holiday traditions
In Soviet times, mass events were held on this day, in which both adults and children participated. Today, there are practically no special traditions for International Bird Day. In general, this is rather not a holiday, but a day of awareness about birds and their problems. Birds, like many other animals on our planet, are under constant threat of extinction. And if earlier it was the result of natural threats and natural selection, now most of the problems a person creates with his own hands.
To support awareness of birds, educational events are held on this day: open lessons in schools, lectures, exhibitions in museums and educational centers. Subbotniks are organized, on which all those who are not indifferent clean the nearest reservoirs where birds live. Parents with children can make a birdhouse or feeder and hang it on a tree – the main thing is not to forget to fill them with fresh grains from time to time.
Interesting Facts
- The chicken is the closest “relative” of the dinosaur.
- Owls are not able to move their eyes, and in order to look around, they turn their heads up to 270 ° without harm to health.
- Gray parrot Jaco is able to remember more than 1500 words.
- Canaries in the recent past helped miners identify gas leaks and warned workers of the danger. Now “canaries” are called alarms in mines.
- The New Caledonian raven is able not only to use tools for its food, but also to make them.
- Cassowary is the most dangerous bird in the world, known for its dagger-shaped claws that can kill with one blow.