National Bird Day - January 5th

National Bird Day 2010 Soared!

Each year National Bird Day gets bigger and better. 2010 marked the 8th year for this dynamic and important campaign.

This year new features were added to the National Bird Day website to introduce youth (and adults) to world of birdwatching. A state bird count challenge invited participants to report sightings of their state bird for a chance to win a pair of top quality binoculars. Congratulations to winner Mike Gargano of Connecticut who spotted his state bird, the American Robin.

We also added a fun and educational bird call quiz inviting participants to test their skill at matching calls to the bird. A dose of species-specific facts was provided with each correct match.

This year we were also proud to offer the new humane and environmental educational book Lucky as a perfect teaching resource for National Bird Day. A complete lesson plan encompassing biology, geography, and arts and culture that complements the book was also provided on www.LuckytheLorikeet.com.

Below is an example of how Lucky was incorporated into a National Bird Day activity.

Public Eye: Artists for Animals, www.publiceyephilly.org in Philadelphia, presented "Wings To Fly," a National Bird Day event featuring storytelling, art, and creative movement.

National Bird Day was also celebrated by Centre School, East Rockaway, New York, in collaboration with The Kerulos Center (www.kerulos.org) January 5 2010. Activities included the "Eat like a lorikeet" activity from the Lucky lesson plan. As described in Lucky, lorikeets lap up nectar with their tongues that look like tiny toothbrushes. The kids enjoyed trying to "eat like a lorikeet" by dipping toothbrushes into juice to "drink" the "nectar."

The children were asked to reflect on what they had learned at the event. Here is what some wrote:

We learned that birds are captured from the forest. We really felt sad for the bird at first. Glad he was set free.

Birds need to be free. Never keep a bird away from nature.

We learned that after birds have been caged for a period of time they lose the strength to fly.

I learned that it's not good to keep birds captive.

This performance reminded me that we need to be concerned about all animals.

This show allowed me to realize that birds have needs as well.

National Bird Day 2010 also had great media exposure.

Outside The CBS Early Show

A group of National Bird Day supporters got up bright and early and braved a freezing cold New York morning outside The CBS Early Show studio to show their support for National Bird Day and get national media coverage via a live mention of National Bird Day and website by CBS Early Show hosts Harry Smith and Maggie Rodriguez!

Born Free USA's Monica Engebretson was interviewed about National Bird Day and the plight of birds on Animal Wise Radio.

In addition, National Bird Day was mentioned on a diverse collection of blogs. Here are a few:

Last but not least, Born Free USA hosted a special National Bird Day online auction to raise money for to provide parrot conservation scholarships for college students in Guatemala.

Thank you to everyone who helped to make National Bird Day 2010 a success.

It's never too early to start planning for next year!

Let us know your plans and how we can help!

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