How many species of birds currently exist?

Currently there are an estimated 9,800 to 10,050 different bird species in the world. There are those that can fly and those that cannot. Some only live in the Western Hemisphere and others are only found in the Eastern Hemisphere. Some birds are adapted to living only in tropical climates where there is plenty of shelter in the trees for them and they do not have to worry about the cold. In fact birds are found on every continent in the world. They are amazingly adaptable and can survive in even the most extreme circumstances.

Some birds have a way of bringing out the worst in humanity. Perhaps it is an unconscious fear implanted by movies and literature. Take for example the Alfred Hitchcock movie “The Birds” and you get a sense of how ominous and even perhaps deadly some wild birds are to mankind. Look at what a flock of crows is called. It is called a murder. Certain birds have been associated with death and even as messengers of death. Perhaps it is just a bum rap but regardless, mankind has this fascination with anything avian.

Take a moment and forget about the birds that you see flying around. Instead, think about how birds have impacted the world in music, movies and literature. These two legged, winged wild animals are prominent in certain religions found in the past. You can see images of birds scattered throughout the Egyptian religion. The bird has played a huge role in our world. Just think a moment on how many times you have seen a bird image.

“For the birds” has been a saying that has been around for quite some time. It means that an idea or activity is on the crazy side. People often associate typical tasks and phrases with birds. It is another story when bird watching is involved though. Bird watchers mean business. They take their hobby seriously and devote quite a lot of time to the activity. It is a great way to get outdoors and it does not cost much for beginners to get started.

There are many physical attributes that are often associated with the animal kingdom. You have heard “strong as a bear” or as “fast as a cheetah.” You do not hear a lot of comparisons between great physical attributes and birds. But birds of prey are a completely different species of birds. These birds are powerful, have great eye sight and can reach great speeds. It would be a proud thing to be compared to a bird of prey.

The birds of this world are fascinating creatures to watch. Many exotic birds are beautifully colored and you cannot forget about songbirds that fill the air with their sweet melodies and calls. But not all birds make good pets. These are two legged, winged wild animals that deserve a certain amount of respect and some are just not meant to be caged. The act of trying to domesticate the bird takes something away from it that should not be taken. There are certain birds that have been successfully domesticated so you should check out those first before making any decision.

Having a hobby is not hard to do. It is hard, however, to find a hobby that fits in with your busy lifestyle and desires. If you like the outdoors and enjoy interacting with nature, then you may want to consider bird watching. After all, there are over 10,000 species of birds in the world. Even if you live in the middle of a metropolitan area, you can still find different bird species. It is a hobby that can be a real passion.

Have you ever heard the phrase “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy?” It is a saying that has been around for countless years but it still rings true. People need some kind of hobby that will take their mind off of the stresses of work. They need some form of interaction with Mother Nature if they want to stay in good health. If you have not found the right hobby for you, then you may want to consider birding.

If you have paid attention to the news and health alerts since 1997, then you have undoubtedly heard about the bird flu. Avian influenza is a devastating disease for domesticated fowl. One of its variations can have a mortality rate of 90-100% in 48 hours. Yes, this is devastating for farmers but it has become a world wide concern because avian influenza has begun to infect humans, for some unknown reason. It typically should not but there have been many cases when it has. This has the world wide medical community worried.

For some reason mankind is fascinated with birds. There are countless expressions based on birds. Phrases such as “this is for the birds” or even “swift as a bird” are quite common. Perhaps it is the sight of wild birds soaring through the skies that gives mankind the feeling that they have the best of it all. Even the term “bird’s eye” is used so commonly that most people know what someone is referring to. But literally, the bird eye is something to envy.