At Avian Conservation Uganda Society (ACUS), people always ask us questions such as; why do we need to conserve birds? why are birds important? How do birds help us? And why are bird conservation projects necessary? We always say birds have many uses because they provide immeasurable aesthetic, cultural, economic and natural benefits to society, economies and the environment, therefore, conserving birds for the benefit of the next generations is a duty ACUS is formed to perform. The following are some of the benefits of birds;
Benefits to agriculture and farming;
Farmers benefit the most from birds. Birds’ presence on farms has several good and challenging implications. For instance, birds such as cattle egrets help to control pests around animals by feeding on them. In crop growing, birds still control pests (although can be pests sometimes too) birds pollinate plants, disperse seeds and control weeds. Despite feeding on farmers’ crops, the overall impact on the natural environment scale, birds’ presence on farms is positive. Farmers are being encouraged to cater for these their best friends with conservation-friendly farming techniques.
Benefits to culture, people and society.
Birds have an immense impact on cultures, societies and (wo)man’s interaction with the environment. There is a direct correlation between interacting with birds and quality of life in terms of art, aesthetics, activities, nutrition, folklore and legends, values and attitudes. Interaction with birds increases the quality of life of man; whether he is a farmer, a sailor, Noah of the Ark or a hunter. Admittedly, we were being too generous when we said birds are farmers’ best friends because it can be argued that hunters get the most from the awesomeness of birds. Considering, (wo)man started hunting thousands (if not millions) of years before he started farming the land, hunters have enjoyed their winged friends much more. Many cultures tamed birds such as falcons, kites and ravens to assist in spotting prey or even hunting for their pets.
Birds are so awesome that nations, military units, sports teams, organizations and superstars associate with their image, and symbolism and adopt their qualities and fearlessness. For example, Ugandan representatives adorn the colours of the National bird – the Grey crested crane, while Liverpool modelled a mythical Liver Bird from the cormorant to be the team’s badge.
Artists and artisans enjoy the aesthetic value of birds creating magnificent artistic products from bird watching, and bird parts such as feathers and songs. Musicians compose the sweetest of melodies enjoyed by many a music lover inspired by bird songs and their calls. Safe to say, it will be a sad day when birds die.
Benefits to food production and ensuring food security
Birds are a great source of food for people, animals, insects and interestingly, other birds. People rear birds domestically for food, animals hunt birds, other animals feed on their eggs while others feed their decomposing dead flesh. Therefore, birds play a significant role in balancing the nutrition chain for people and the natural ecosystem.
Economic benefits of birds:
In Uganda, there are several economic benefits of birds including; poultry farming, recreational birdwatching and tourism, image symbolism and branding, health products, art & crafts, agricultural inputs sourced from birds and other subtle socio-economic value of birds to societies. All these bird-based products contribute significantly to Uganda’s GDP creating thousands of jobs, supporting equally numerous families and enhancing the quality of life.
The beneficial role played by birds in natural ecosystems
Birds are important indicators of the status of the environment. In the wild, birds communicate to animals the events happening in their vicinity. For instance, the presence of marabou storks, vultures and crows signals the presence of a carcass and this is sometimes the lifeline of many animals, insects and other birds. In addition, this scavenger activity helps to clean the environment of decomposing bodies reducing contamination risk to food webs and ground for multiplying harmful bacteria and pathogens. Birds also help to disperse seeds in the wild, pollinate plants and control pests and diseases in wild flora and fauna. Bird dropping also fertilizes marine resources and provides food for fish to improve the quality of marine life. Birds are also crucial players in the natural food chain providing food for carnivores, birds of prey, and eggs for snakes, lizards and other predators. This sustains the ecosystem and keeps the environment healthy.