Bird Day is the name of several holidays celebrating birds. The first such holiday was established by Charles Babcock, the Oil City superintendent of schools, in 1894[1].
Contents |
Bird Day is a holiday established by Oil City, Pennsylvania school superintendent Charles Babcock in 1894.[2] It was the first holiday in the United States dedicated to the celebration of birds. [1] Babcock intended it to advance bird conservation as a moral value.[3] It is celebrated on May 4 of every year.[1]
National Bird Day is an annual holiday with half a million adherents who celebrate through birdwatching, studying birds, bird drinking games including 'bird date' and other bird-related activities.[4] Bird adoption is a particularly important National Bird Day activity.[5] According to the newspaper Atlantic Journal Constitution, many bird enthusiasts celebrate by adopting birds[5] and by educating future bird owners about the special issues involved with taking care of birds, including their "screaming, biting, constant cleanups, the need for daily interaction and a varied diet". National Bird Day takes place every year on the fifth day of the first month.[6]
International Migratory Bird Day is a holiday dedicated to the celebration of migratory birds, and to conservation awareness. Originated by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center,[7] it is celebrated annually on the second Saturday of May in the United States and Canada.[8] In most Latin American countries it is celebrated on the second Saturday in October; in Colombia it is celebrated in October, and Costa Rica celebrates in April.[7]
There is also a proud tradition of Bird Day in the United Kingdom. For example, Scots celebrate their version of National Bird Day on January 22.[9]