Create a Habitat for Birds

Some scientists are convinced that birds evolved from the dinosaurs. Many believe that birds will continue to adapt to habitats and changing conditions and will always be with us, and with our distant descendants. Some bird species will be driven to extinction, as human populations grow while other that are tolerant of man will thrive. However, most people agree that today, the main threat posed to birds is from humans. Human beings are the primary force threatening the natural world. Habitat destruction & hunting combine to threaten several hundred species of birds worldwide.

Unlike anything that nature has produced, the crowded city may perhaps be the most inhospitable place for birds. And yet, there are birds that thrive in the city. They are able to eat anything and nest anywhere. However, the majority of the nearly 8000 species of birds recorded worldwide need something more than a crowded city.

Their ability to fly gives the birds an edge over other creatures. Birds can travel far & wide in search of food and live where no other living being can. Millions of years of evolution have adapted each bird species to fit into its own little niche where it feeds and breeds and survives. As the “Science of Birds” continues to fascinate man and he continues to learn, it would not be very difficult for him to understand the simple habitat needs of many a bird species. Further, with some effort, it would be possible to create & protect many a micro-habitat that would be immensely helpful to birds in general and in turn benefit human beings.

In order to fuel their flight, birds have to feed intensely. Bird feed includes several sources from nature including nectar, seed & insect. The “Birds of Prey” which feed on “meat” have the ability to track, capture & kill their source of meat, which includes mammals, birds & reptiles. The “aquatic feeders” venture into lakes, rivers & seas to find their food, which includes fish and several other aquatic organisms. Several species of birds are also known to scavenge for food. This basically means for birds to thrive in, the habitat must be favorable to its source of food! For example, in order to support the Short-toed Snake Eagle, which primarily thrives on snakes, the habitat must first be able to support the snakes.

Adult birds build nests in various ways with the common goal of sheltering their eggs and themselves during incubation and to cradle and hide dependent hatchlings. Birds build nests in various shapes and sizes. The Nest size is normally proportional to bird size. The nests merge with the surrounding through camouflage and careful site selection. They use various natural materials like grass, twigs, fiber, spider-webs & mud to build their nests. Some birds take advantage of natural holes in trees and in the ground or dig a hole themselves. These are known as the “Cavity Nesters”. Other birds build more specialized nests. The construction of the “elaborate pendulous hanging nest”, of those like the Baya Weaver, require thousands of fibers to complete a single nest which is in sharp contrast to the “just a small scrape on the ground nest” of the Lapwings. Large birds like eagles & herons build “Platform Nests” made of twigs that are found in the upper reaches of trees. Another common type of nest is the “Cup Nest” made of grass, fiber or twigs. The bulbul’s nest is a typical “Cup nest”. Swallows build nests that are stuck on the sides of cliffs and are built with mud. Thus, it is important for the habitat to provide suitable nesting sites & nesting material to allow birds to build nests and breed undisturbed.

While most adult birds in nature can normally fend for themselves, the young that have just emerged from the nest face great danger until they come to terms with the “big bad world”! This is perhaps the most crucial phase of their lives. Though the parent is normally close by to teach the young a lesson or two, the young face great danger in their initial stages of learning to be independent. Here again the habitat plays an important role. Some birds like the Quails begin to follow their parents on hatching. They need tall grass to hide and protect themselves from predators. Water Hens train their young in water. They need a water body with plenty of cover all around. Young warblers hide among shrubs and search for insects, they are feeble flyers and become easy prey out in the open.

Thus, the most ideal bird habitat would comprise of some open land, a couple of water bodies, plenty of tall grass, shrubs & creepers, and a mix of trees of various heights and spread. Together, these will form a heaven for birds!

You can create a habitat for birds in your own backyard! Do take a look at these links...

http://www.math.montana.edu/~nmp/materials/ess/mountain_environments/advanced/birds.html

http://butterflywebsite.com/articles/constructlist.cfm?type=birdgardening

Good Luck!

Vijay Cavale
October, 2001
Bangalore, India

Habitat for Birds in the Wild