The ability to attract wild birds has for a long time been a fascination, passion and business. Wild birds have been symbols or gods in many cultures. They have represented love, strength, evil, good and prosperity. The Indians respected wild birds such as the eagle and the crow while other cultures recognized the dove as a symbol of peace and friendship. Even in our own culture before the eagle was chosen as the nation's symbol Ben Franklin proposed the wild turkey should have that honor. Depending on the culture's belief to have a symbolic wild bird in your area or yard was often used as a prophecy,omen or future telling. For example in North American Indian culture the turkey is an earth diver. This is a bird that dives from the earth's upper levels into the bowels of the earth and retrieves something to save the people. In this case the turkey saved seeds when the big floods came, there by giving the people a chance to grow their crops again. So if you saw a turkey in the area you would have good fortune. Many an emperor was placed on the throne by the prediction of a golden eagle or a raven. Though depicted as evil doers the raven in many cultures presents gifts to humans such as light and names of plants. The raven was both a trickster and a hero in legends. The Celtics and Irish believed crows, ravens and vultures were symbols of death and destruction. If a Celtic war goddess appeared before a battle as a crow or raven the army she appeared to would be defeated. Knowing this information many armies tried to attract wild birds in the crow family to do their trickery.
The ability to attract wild birds to cage them goes back many centuries. The Chinese captured nightingales to bring harmony and peacefulness into their homes and palaces. These birds were captured for their beautiful songs. Attracting wild birds for companionship was also desired. We all have seen the pirates of yesteryear with a parrot on his shoulder or a macaw on his arm. Teaching parrots and macaws to talk was a way of passing the time. The ole Polly wants a cracker has been used to depict parrots as pets for many years.
The fascination of birds being portrayed as tricksters or evil doers has made its way into many a story. Edgar Allen Poe's "The Raven" draws chills down one's spine when reading it on a dark dank night. The horror movie by Alfred Hitchcock "The Birds" with millions of birds flying at you made you want to scream in the theater. In childrens'stories the other extreme is portrayed. In Hans Christian Andersen story of the "Ugly Duckling"the ugly duck turns into a beautiful swan. Storks delivered babies in many fairy tales and in modern tales too. In Milne's story of "Winnie the Pooh" Pooh and friends seek out the Wise owl for his knowledge and wisdom. These wild birds have attracted alot of attention though the years.
In Mid Evil times knights and noblemen attracted wild birds for hunting companions. They used and taught hawks and falcons to hunt for rabbit and other food. They followed wild birds for food gathering such as berries and nuts. Homing pigeons and doves were taught to deliver messages to people in other areas. Attracting wild birds was not always good for our avian friends. Attracting wild birds for food in the past as in today still exists. Wild duck, grouse, turkey and pheasant hunting are passions for some and necessity for others.
Attracting wild birds for plumes and feathers to decorate dresses and hats was quite fashionable at one time. A feather in your cap meant you did something good. Ostrich were hunted for their huge feathers while peacocks and birds of paradise were attracted and killed for their colorful feathers. The practise of decorating clothing put a terrible strain on these wild birds causing some to go into extinction and others to near extinction.
People still have a passion for attracting wild birds and owning them. The market for wild birds such as macaws, myna birds, parrots and cockatoos for pets is still strong. Many countries have banned the practise of attracting birds into these huge nets and selling them. For the most part these birds are now raised in captivity for the pet market. This has stabilized the population of some of these birds in the wild.
Bird watching tours are becoming a big industry. The tour guide is well trained to attract wild birds to increase the chances of you seeing the birds of that area. Sometimes it's just a matter of knowing what time the birds eat or the availability of their food supply. Sometimes when you go on these tours the places you stay at have set up a few feeders or have landscaping to attract wild birds to make your experience more enjoyable. The natural landscape of the area attracts many birds making it easier for you to view our feathered friends. Photographing wild birds is a big industry also. Sometimes to get the picture you want props are needed to attract the desired bird or birds. Wild birds will be attracted to water features and feeders so these maybe used to help get the perfect picture. Please visit my website www.WildBirdSeedMart.com to view some birdbaths and feeders that could help you attract wild birds.
