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 Artículos de las Noticias en Español

Pets Last Updated: Jul 2nd, 2008 - 21:15:22


The Benefits of Birding
By
Nov 21, 2007, 21:24

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Article Translations: English German Spanish French Italian Portuguese Japanese Korean Chinese
(ARA) - The benefits of birding -- a subject that probably elicits a gamut of reactions, anywhere from “are there any?” to “which one: economic, environmental or educational?” For those tired and overly-stimulated plodders in the “bits, bytes and bauds” world of today, the focus here is on birding and the tangible benefit it provides in the area of biophilia. Bio-what?

In 1984, sociobiologist E. O. Wilson popularized the term biophilia in his book, “Biophilia: The Human Bond with Other Species” (Harvard University Press). Simply put, he defined the phenomenon as “the connections that human beings subconsciously seek with the rest of life.” More and more research points to this built-in human affinity for nature.

Roger Ulrich, director of the Center for Health Systems and Design at Texas A&M University in College Station, who has conducted solid research in this area states, "I think we'll find [biophilia] has substantial societal importance tied directly and indirectly to public health." In a University of Maryland study observing the link between companion animals and increased physical, mental and emotional human health, of the 92 heart disease patients that were followed, those with pets far outlived those without pets.

A pet of course is a relative term. To many it invokes a dog or cat.. Both those with and those without in-home pets are finding great satisfaction in “caring from afar” for the wildlife that freely enters their outside living areas. Companies recognize this human affinity for nature, and see it as a growing dimension of outside home leisure activities. “Without a doubt, birding has become an integral and growing part of the mix of outdoor living activities. People want more from their little slice of the world,” according to Tony Vahedian, vice president, Scotts Wild Bird Food. Not surprising, is that those who want more of this “backyard biophilia” through birding are baby boomers. Eighty percent of all birders by age groups fall in the 44 to 65-plus year old category, as stated in the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Study, “Birding in the U.S.: a Demographic and Economic Analysis.” Scotts’ Premium Wild Bird Food is designed for this group, attracting both targeted bird types and providing convenient no-waste, pour containers.

So we know that people have this affinity to nature. We know what large categories of people are seeking this affinity through birding. Which begs the question, what things are there to do as a birder that can feed this biophilia?

Colors

Perhaps obvious but no less significant is the simple but magnificent array of colors found in the seemingly endless variety of patterns, shapes, shadings and contrasts in birds, just waiting to be observed. While the multi-pixel stimulation of our PCs, cameras and phones provides an almost numbing barrage of inputs for us to assimilate constantly, contrast that with the subtleties and splashes of color and gradations which adorn a tree or bush like a holiday ornament. Whether you merely take in the entertainment or copiously log the different shades you witness, either way you’ll be amazed at what all is actually there.

Caring

It’s addictive, putting out a certain type of bird food, and watching the consistent cast of characters show up to chow down. You can “reach out” to a certain type of bird, or color for that matter, by what seed you lay out. Whether thistle seeds in a sock for finches or black oil sunflower seeds for cardinals, you can generally control who you invite to dine in your yard. And as you get used to the regular visitors, you may find that you cease to view them as visitors at all, but remote pets coming and going daily, almost on queue. After awhile, try and resist the good feelings from regularly feeding your “friends,” almost believing that you have become their vital link in the food chain.

Behaviors

To the unnoticing eye, birds seem to merely come and go, softly landing on a branch or pecking a little here, eating a bit there, nothing much of interest, right? Not unless you’re not really noticing. Watching birds, really watching them is to watch a small society in action. Fascinating are the eating habits alone: house sparrows that mass on a feeder and fight for turf at the trough; a tufted titmouse that darts to a feeder takes a bite and darts just as fast back to a nearby limb and then repeats it all for the next bite; nuthatches that amble straight up and down the side of the tree and casually poke their beak in the feeder and just as casually amble straight back up the tree like Spiderman; woodpeckers which hop up and down the tree or feeder as if jumping up and down rungs on a ladder.

The behaviors are even more pronounced when they interact with each other, nothing serene and patient about different species “arguing” and “elbowing” for the next bite of seed or perching rights on a limb. And of course there is the “king of the mountain” dynamic.

Just watch when a couple of blue jays enter the picture and everyone else just simply disappears and just as fast reappears on their exit. Rest assured, there is no lack of activity going on any moment your tree or bush suddenly takes up residents.

So if we all long to connect with an unspoken human affinity with nature, birding stands to provide instant biophilia. And it’s easy, just put out a feeder and watch. If you want to change the guest list, change what you’re serving. Finally, sit back and enjoy the show, for it’s truly replete with fascinating activities.

Benefits, well, who knows, by getting in touch with all you’ve been missing right in your own backyard, you might just possibly forget, for a moment, what it was that had been consuming you throughout the day. Is there any greater benefit than that?

For more information visit: www.scottswildbirdfood.com

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