“How could I make a little book, when I have seen enough to make a dozen large books?” questioned John James Audubon, the author of “The Birds of North America”, a collection of 435 birds, detailed illustrations and description of their natural habitats.
John James Audubon was born on April 26, 1875 at Saint Domingue (now Haiti). He was raised by his stepmother in Nantes, France. Birds, nature, drawing and music fascinated him. Audubon enjoyed studying birds and drawing them.
Did you know that Audubon conducted the first known bird-banding experiment in North America? This was way before the new technique of bird ringing was utilised.
He tied strings on the legs of Eastern Phoebes (Scientific name Sayornis phoebe ), a migratory bird that winters in southern and central U.S. He found that the birds returned to the same nesting sites each year.
In the current bird ringing process, plastic or metal rings are placed around the legs or attached to the wings for population, migration, feeding patterns and other studies by ornithologists. Ornithology is a branch of zoology that deals with the study of birds. Audubon was also concerned about the destruction of birds and their habitats.
Mr. Shafatullah, secretary of Birdwatchers Society of Andhra Pradesh says, “Audubon is was a good artist and took interest in birds and subsequently became an expert in birds. He was a pioneer of North American birds. He was the Salim Ali of North America.”
Join them
Bird watching can be fun. You can go on one such trip with the Birdwatchers Society of Andhra Pradesh.
Mr. Shafatullah says, “One can become a member of the society for a minimal sum. We go bird watching one Sunday a month. We have both indoor and outdoor activities.”
“I love bird watching. There is so much you can learn about their habits, feeding and environmental issues that impact birds. Peacocks are my favourite and I am concerned about the protection of their habitat,” says, a Std. V student.
Another forum that offers bird watching is the Great Hyderabad Adventure Club.
“Our State has rich flora and fauna and such trips can be very enriching,” says Diyanat Ali, chief organiser and founder GHAC. It is not just bird watching. The activity also inculcates the love for nature and appreciation of our feathered friends.
Ashni Hundiwala a Std. IX student of Pallavi Model School says, “I take keen interest in parrots and parakeets. They have the ability to talk and learn. They are intelligent birds. I keep updating my knowledge about them.”
The next time you want to know more about birds, do join a group on a bird watching trail. Don't forget to carry a few basic books on birds especially in Andhra Pradesh so that you can read about the species and spot and differentiate it from others. Carry your own little bird diary for the field notes.
