Bird Behavior & Habitat
A comparison of species behavior in multiple locations
“The observation of birds may be a superstition, a tradition, an art, a science, a pleasure, a hobby, or a bore; this depends entirely on the nature of the observer.”
Watching Birds, James Fisher (1941)
Our ancestors' interest in birds centered around three beliefs, birds as objects of religious worship or superstition, as a source of ornament or decoration, or as a source of food on the table (Moss, 2004). Reverend Gilbert White would introduce bird watching as a true pastime in the mid-eighteenth century. Considered by many to be a groundbreaking book, The Natural History of Selborne, is a result of White's accurate observations and genuine love of birds. He brought attention to the profound connection that exists between humans and nature.
Frank Gill, an American ornithologist, wrote that the degree to which behavior is social or asocial and cooperative or competitive is primarily determined by a living creature's priorities, mainly food and protection, being met (Gill, 1991). With this in mind, I decided to observe bird behavior in three locations: (1) my backyard, (2) a public park, and (3) my office park (Figure 1).
The comparative question: When comparing a public park, my backyard, and an office park, where will birds exhibit the widest variety of behaviors?
The prediction: Birds will exhibit the widest variety of behavior in the public park.
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