National Bird Day is an unofficial holiday celebrated on January 5th every year in the United States. It was created to raise awareness and appreciation for our feathered friends. Birds play an important role in balancing our ecosystems through pollination, seed dispersal, insect and rodent control, and more. Celebrating National Bird Day is a great way to learn more about birds native to your area and how you can help protect them.
When is National Bird Day?
National Bird Day is observed annually on January 5th. This date was chosen because it falls within peak winter bird watching season when many species are active at backyard bird feeders.
What is the history of National Bird Day?
National Bird Day was created in 2002 by bornagainbirders.com, a website dedicated to introducing people to bird watching. It began as a way to encourage more people to discover the enjoyment of birding during the winter doldrums. The January timing coincided with several Christmas Bird Counts that take place nationwide in December and January. Over the years, National Bird Day has steadily grown in popularity. Many parks, nature centers, schools, and other organizations now celebrate with bird-themed events and activities.
Why Celebrate National Bird Day?
There are several great reasons to celebrate National Bird Day:
Learn about birds in your area
National Bird Day is the perfect opportunity to learn about local bird species. Consider keeping a backyard bird list or visiting a nature center to go birding. Learning to identify just a few common birds by sight and sound makes every walk outside more enjoyable.
Help birds survive winter
Extra food and fresh water provide essential resources for birds during cold winter months when natural food sources are scarce. On National Bird Day, fill your bird feeders and install a birdbath if you don’t already have one. Making these small backyard habitats for birds will help them conserve energy and thrive.
Contribute to citizen science
Citizen science projects allow non-scientists to collect data that researchers can use to study trends, migration patterns, disease transmission, and more. On National Bird Day, you can take part by reporting bird sightings to eBird or joining the Great Backyard Bird Count. Your checklists provide valuable data to ornithological research.
Build new birding skills
Winter is a great season to challenge yourself by learning new birding skills like identifying birds by ear and using field guides. Brush up on behaviors like pishing, flocking, and murmurations. Trying new birdwatching techniques will make you an even better birder.
Appreciate the beauty of birds
Birds add color, energy, and beauty to the winter landscape. Their songs and movements lift our spirits on cold gray days. Take time on National Bird Day to watch and listen to the charming antics of your backyard birds or view waterfowl gathered on a lake. Enjoying the beauty of birds reminds us why we should care about protecting them.
Help raise awareness
National Bird Day spreads awareness about threats birds face and ways we can help. Our actions have a big impact on birds. Celebrating National Bird Day is a chance to share bird facts and conservation tips with others in your community. Small efforts can make a difference for protecting birds and their habitats.
How to Celebrate National Bird Day
There are many fun ways to celebrate National Bird Day, whether on your own or with a group:
Host a birdwatching morning
Invite friends over for breakfast, then head outside to start spotting and identifying backyard birds together. Make it a friendly competition to see who can find the most species. Share bird guides and binoculars so everyone can participate.
Visit a local nature center
Many nature centers and parks organize special bird-themed events and activities on or around National Bird Day. Look for guided bird walks, lectures from ornithologists, and family programs. It’s a fun way to learn from experts.
Go on a birding expedition
Grab your field guides and binoculars and spend the morning or afternoon searching for local birds. Focus on visiting habitats like forests, meadows, wetlands, and shorelines to maximize the types of birds you might encounter.
Decorate with bird-themed crafts
Get creative with homemade bird feeders, wreaths, garlands, and other decorations featuring bird photos, feathers, and natural elements. Craft a bird-friendly display while learning more about the species that visit your yard.
Cook bird-inspired treats
Cookies or cupcakes decorated with bird shapes, eggs, and edible feathers make fun National Bird Day snacks. Search online for bird-themed recipes. Consider mixing birdseed into peanut butter suet cakes to share with your backyard visitors.
Watch bird movies and documentaries
Settle in for a movie night with films featuring birds like “The Big Year,” “Fly Away Home,” “Winged Migration,” and BBC’s “Planet Earth.” Introduce children to animated favorites like “Rio” and “Valiant.” Learning about birds on the big screen is both educational and entertaining.
Volunteer at a bird rehabilitation center
Lend a helping hand by donating your time on National Bird Day to a local wildlife rehabilitation clinic that cares for sick and injured birds. They are often in need of volunteers to assist with tasks like cleaning cages, preparing food, transporting patients, and raising baby birds.
Attend a bird festival
Many U.S. cities host birding festivals and events on or around early January. Look for a local bird festival on National Bird Day or plan a weekend trip around one. Bird festivals offer guided excursions, speakers, and activities focused on regional bird species and habitats.
Spread the word on social media
Post photos of your favorite birds on Instagram and Facebook. Share fun facts about birds with the hashtag #NationalBirdDay to help raise awareness. Encourage your friends to take part by tagging them in posts about birding events and activities happening near them.
National Bird Day Activities for Kids
National Bird Day is a perfect opportunity to get children interested in nature. Here are kid-friendly activities that teach about birds:
Backyard bird count
Provide a bird checklist and have kids tally the number and types of birds they see visiting your yard. They can also practice identifying common birds using a field guide. Compete to see who spots the most species.
DIY bird feeders
Make homemade bird feeders from simple materials like pine cones coated in peanut butter and birdseed or empty milk cartons turned into seed houses. Place them outside and observe which birds visit.
Birdwatching hike
Take kids on a nature walk to search for birds in their natural habitats. Bring binoculars and field guides and challenge them to spot and identify as many birds as they can. Stop frequently to listen for songs and calls.
Backyard bird cafe
Set up a kid-friendly birdwatching station with child-sized binoculars, books, nature journals, and mugs of hot cocoa. Sit outside and enjoy bird activity at your own backyard cafe.
Owl pellet dissection
Order an owl pellet kit online and let kids dissect the regurgitated pellets to uncover rodent bones and skulls inside. It teaches about owl diets and biodiversity in a hands-on way.
Bird bingo
Print free bird bingo cards online and have kids identify species to mark off. Customize cards with local backyard birds for an educational twist on the classic game.
Bird nest crafts
Make toy bird nests from natural materials like twigs, grass, and moss, or get creative with paper, string, and clay. Use the nests to teach kids about bird reproduction and parenting.
Bird-themed snacks
Kids will love whipping up bird-shaped pancakes, gelatin worms, seed cupcakes, and other fun birding snacks to fuel their day of learning. Search online for kid-friendly bird day recipes.
Birdwatching Tips for Beginners on National Bird Day
Here are some helpful birding tips for beginners heading out to celebrate National Bird Day:
Start in your backyard
Your yard is full of great birding opportunities. Standing near feeders and bird baths gives you a front row seat as birds come to you.
Focus your attention
Patience and quiet observation are key. Silently watch and listen from one spot to notice more bird behaviors.
Bring binoculars
Binoculars let you spot details like field markings to help identify birds. Look for models that are waterproof and fog proof.
Choose easy birding locations
Parks, nature reserves, wetlands, beaches, and gardens attract lots of bird species and are beginner-friendly.
Follow bird songs and calls
If you hear an unseen bird, focus on its sound to help pinpoint its location in bushes and trees.
Use field guides for your area
Guides like Sibley and National Geographic can help you learn local birds. Cross-reference online bird ID tips too.
Look for bird highways
Birds congregate near food sources like berry bushes and feeders. Check fences, wires, and tree canopies.
Pack snacks and water
Birding excursions can take patience and time. Bring provisions to stay nourished and hydrated.
Have reasonable expectations
As a beginner, don’t expect to ID every bird. With practice over time, more species will become familiar.
Enjoy the experience
The joy of birdwatching is being outdoors appreciating nature. Make it about spending time in beautiful places.
Major Birding Events and Festivals
Here are some of the top nationwide bird festivals that often align with National Bird Day in January:
Event | Location | Key Highlights |
---|---|---|
Space Coast Birding Festival | Florida | Guided trips, seminars, exhibitions, photo contests |
Olympia Bird Fest | Washington | Field trips, raffles, workshops, keynote speakers |
Wings Over Water | North Carolina | Boat tours, photography classes, receptions |
Central Oregon Birding Festival | Oregon | Bird walks, owl prowls, raptor ID field trips |
Sax-Zim Bog Birding Festival | Minnesota | Owl and grosbeak viewing, bus tours, trade show |
Wings and Wetlands Festival | Louisiana | Boat and helicopter rides, photography, food |
These mass birding gatherings feature speakers, workshops, guided excursions, photography tours, and more. Check event listings in your state to find smaller local bird festivals happening on or near National Bird Day too. These festive celebrations are open to birders of all skill levels.
Threats Facing Birds and How to Help
National Bird Day spotlights threats that bird populations face worldwide. Here are major issues and ways we can help protect birds:
Habitat loss
Development eliminates forests and wetlands birds rely on. Preserve green spaces in your community and support bird habitat conservation efforts.
Buildings and windows
Building collisions kill hundreds of millions of birds annually. Use decals and screens to make windows more visible to birds. Turn off lights during migration seasons.
Pesticides
Chemicals reduce insects that birds eat and make birds sick. Use natural yard care methods and avoid pesticide overuse.
Outdoor cats
Free-roaming cats kill billions of birds each year. Keep cats indoors or supervise time outdoors. Install bird feeders and baths away from potential hiding spots.
Invasive species
Introduced plants and animals outcompete native birds for resources. Remove invasive plants from your yard and volunteer to pull invasives.
Climate change
Changing weather and temperatures threaten bird food supplies, habitats, and migration patterns. Support efforts to expand renewable energy and reduce emissions.
Small individual actions like keeping cats indoors, reducing pesticide usage, installing bird-friendly window treatments, and planting native plants can positively impact birds in your own backyard and community. Spreading awareness and supporting conservation organizations further helps protect threatened birds worldwide.
Conclusion
National Bird Day offers the perfect opportunity to appreciate the beauty of birds and learn how to protect them. Observe backyard feeders, go on birding hikes, volunteer at a wildlife center, or attend a festival. Make bird-friendly crafts and treats or contribute to citizen science projects. Help kids develop an interest in nature through birdwatching activities. Whatever you choose, have fun and discover new things about your feathered neighbors on National Bird Day! Spread your newfound enthusiasm by sharing bird facts and conservation tips with family and friends throughout the year.