Bird Day

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].

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Bird Day

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

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

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]

Bird Day in the United Kingdom

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]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Holiday Insights: Bird Day, National Bird Day, and International Migratory Bird Day". www.holidayinsights.com. http://www.holidayinsights.com/other/birdday.htm. Retrieved February 1, 2009. 
  2. ^ Kevin C. Armitage. "HistoryCooperative.org". HistoryCooperative.org. http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/eh/12.3/armitage.html. Retrieved September 8, 2010. 
  3. ^ HistoryCooperative.org, Armitage, Kevin C. (2007) "Bird Day for Kids: Progressive Conservation in Theory and Practice" Environmental History 12(3): pp. 528–551
  4. ^ TimesHerald.com
  5. ^ a b Eckstein, Sandra (January 11, 2009). "AJC.com". AJC.com. http://www.ajc.com/services/content/printedition/2009/01/11/petdish.html. Retrieved September 8, 2010. 
  6. ^ "NationalBirdDay.com". NationalBirdDay.com. http://www.nationalbirdday.com/. Retrieved September 8, 2010. 
  7. ^ a b "International Migratory Bird Day". www.birdday.org. http://www.birdday.org/imbd-faq.php. Retrieved February 2, 2009. 
  8. ^ "International Migratory Bird Day at U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service". www.fws.gov. http://www.fws.gov/birds/imbd/educators.html. Retrieved February 1, 2009. 
  9. ^ "Scotsman.com". Edinburgh: News.scotsman.com. January 22, 2009. http://news.scotsman.com/uk/Happy-30th-bird-day-and.4900955.jp. Retrieved September 8, 2010.