Science and Bird Watching

In a world where science is expected to explain everything and be everywhere, how exactly does it pertain to birding?

Does birding have any impact on science? Does learning about the different species of birds help those in the world of science at all? All of these are good questions. It's important to learn how birding affects science and the world around us.

Ornithology is the science of birds.  An Ornithologist is someone who studies all aspects of birds. They focus on how they live, feed, evolve, the biology of a bird, and how they are affected by the changes in environment. The field of Ornithology has been adapted due to the realization that birds are not only important to study for the love of birding, but they are also important in the world of science. Birds play a vital role in the world that scientists are continually defining.

Scientists have a whole system of studying birds.  First they classify each bird in a seven step process.  They use the classification system developed by Carolus Linnaus in 1758.  This system breaks down each type of bird. For example, if you were break down the American Robin with this system, this is how it would look:

Level Name Description
Kingdom Animilia Animal
Phylum Chordata Animals with backbones
Class Aves Animals called birds
Order Passeriformes Birds that perch
Family Turdidae All Thrushes
Genus Turdus Similar Thrushes
Species Turdus migratorius American Robin

Now just think that they do this for every bird. Scientists and ornithologists put a lot of work and effort into their research. They are constantly classifying and re-classifying birds. Due to this science it's quite normal for birds to actually have two names. One is the bird's scientific name, which is usually in Latin.  The second is the bird's common name which is usually how the bird is more commonly known. It's good to be familiar with this system because many checklists may use a combination of this information.

So now that you know what ornithology is and that scientists spend a lot of time studying and classifying birds, how exactly does birding help science? Through birding, information is acquired from beginners, novices, and ornithologists alike.  This information helps determine changes in migratory patterns and decrease in certain species among many other factors. The combined information helps scientists determine how our environment is changing. When birds have to adapt to new conditions it then flags scientists to the conditions that caused the change. In turn, scientists can come up with solutions to these constant changes in our world which helps both animals and humans.