All types of birds are celebrated on National Bird Day which takes place every January 5^th. Since several species are under threat, it is more important than ever to raise awareness of such fascinating animals. From ostriches to eagles to blackbirds, there are thought to be almost 10,000 species of birds currently in existence.

Whilst National Bird Day may have only been founded in 2002, the existence of birds goes back a lot further than you think with them being considered the closest-related animals to the evolution of dinosaurs. Pigeons have been used as messengers for thousands of years, and birds have often been the keystone species in ecosystems for many years.

It may not seem like it but birds do a lot for us. They play an essential role in the functioning of the world’s ecosystem in a way that directly impacts human health, economy and food production. They keep us free from pests with a recent study suggesting that they eat 400-500 million tons of insects per year. They pollinate plants, spread seeds and act as clean-up scavengers, amongst several other benefits.

There are many different ways you can choose to celebrate National Bird Day and it’s completely up to you how you choose to embrace it. You may want to brush up on your bird knowledge by researching, watching a documentary, or reading a book. Alternatively, you may want to set up a birdbox or put out some food and watch how many different types of birds you can spot near your garden.

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Top tips to attract birds to your garden: https://www.rspcadoncasterrotherham.org.uk/garden-birds

Helping wildlife in Winter, including feeding birds: https://www.rspcadoncasterrotherham.org.uk/helping-wildlife-in-winter