A day for the birds

Students at Centre Avenue Elementary in East Rockaway took part in observing National Bird Day early in January.

  The classes celebrated the day by reading “Lucky the Lorikeet” (a type of parrot). The book talks about the cruelty of wild birds trapped in captivity. The kids learned about protecting wild birds in nature and responsible pet ownership.

Nearly 12 percent of the world’s 9,800 bird species may face extinction within the next century, including nearly one-third of the world’s 330 parrot species. National Bird Day teaches about extinction, the behavior of birds, illegal trade. Public awareness and education about the physical and behavioral needs of birds can go far in improving the welfare of the millions of birds kept in captivity.

The survival and well-being of the world’s birds depends upon public education and support for conservation.

According to www.nationalbirdday.com, this day is not only a good time to appreciate the native wild birds flying free outside our windows, it is also a perfect time to reflect on how we treat the native birds of other countries. “While we have enacted laws to protect our native birds — such as blue jays, cardinals, and crows — from commercial exploitation, we fail to recognize the inconsistency in allowing the pet industry to exploit the birds of other countries,” the Web site stated.