Question

What is the importance of nature in the life of a bird?

Answer 1

Birds are a diverse group, and their bright colors, distinct songs and calls, and showy displays add enjoyment to our lives. Birds are very visible, quite common, and offer easy opportunities to observe their diverse plumage and behaviors. Because of this, birds are popular to many who pursue wildlife watching and monitoring activities. Iowa NatureMapping's own database reflects this fact, in that the majority of wildlife observations reported by volunteers are birds. In fact, bird watching is the fastest growing recreational pursuit in the United States. According to the 1996 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, we as a nation spend over 2 billion dollars on commercial bird food! Adding all wildlife watching equipment together, including bird food, binoculars, spotting scopes, film, carrying cases, etc., the nation spends nearly 20 billion dollars! In Iowa alone, we spend some 36 million dollars on bird food! Birds are not only important economically in Iowa and the nation, but also server a vital ecological role as well. Birds are critical links within the vast food chains and webs that exist in the ecosystem.