Thursday, January 5, 2017

Crafty Birds Celebrate Bird Days

Birdhouse


Bird Days

There are several designated dates throughout the year set aside to celebrate our feathered friends.  

There are nearly 10,000 species of birds and 'bird days' bring awareness of issues critical to the protection and survival of birds, both captive and wild.  


Crafty Birds


Amigurumi birds handmade in crochet
Amigurumi Crochet Birds on Etsy

The birds shown here in the field of arts & crafts are these artists' way of celebrating the various bird days and helping to promote avian awareness.



Annual Bird Days Throughout the Year



  • January 5 is National Bird Day. It was begun in 2002 by Born Free USA in coordination with the Avian Welfare Coalition. 
  • May 5 is simply 'Bird Day'.  In 1894, Charles Babcock of Oil City, Pennsylvania, a school superintendant, set this date to bring attention to the conservation of birds.  It was the first bird holiday begun in the United States.  In 1979, the United Kingdom began their own Bird Day, which is coordinated by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. On this date, up to half a million bird lovers spend an hour counting birds.
  • In the United States and Canada, the second Saturday in May is known as International Migratory Bird Day.  Mexico, Central & South America, and the Carribbean celebrate this occasion on the second Saturday in October.
  • Since 2006, the second Saturday in May is also known as World Migratory Bird Day, established by the United Nations.

The main reason all this attention has been given to birds is due to the fact that nearly 12 percent of the world’s almost 10,000 bird species are in danger of extinction.  So celebrate by bird-watching, studying birds,  or educating others about other bird-related activities. You could also participate in bird adoption - which is often done on National Bird Day, January 5.  



Some individual species of birds have their own 'days'.

 

Parrot


Amigurumi Rainbow Lorikeet Parrot Crochet Pattern
World Parrot Day
is May 31. It was begun by the World Parrot Trust in 2004 to highlight the threats to wild Parrots around the world. 


Inspired by World Parrot Day, this is a pattern of a toy parrot in crochet found on Etsy.   It is available as an instant digital download.

Plush parrot crochet pattern created by Etsy Shop of Carocreated. 


Bluebirds 


A Blue Bird Day is defined as a beautiful sunny day after an overnight snowfall. It's a perfect skiing day with a clear blue sky, bright sun, and fresh snow. 

There are no individual holidays known as bluebird day, but 
September 24 is National Bluebird of Happiness day



A set of handmade drink coasters in the shape of a bluebird
Bluebird Beverage Coaster Set on eBay 
Celebrate 'happiness' with your own bluebird as home decor with this set of Bluebird Drink Coasters handmade by Coastal Crochet Crafts.

A pretty set of mats for your tabletops in the colors of the mountain bluebird. 






Mountain Bluebird handmade Beverage Coasters
The Navajo identify the mountain bluebird as a spirit in animal form, associated with the rising sun. Use these coasters as you have your morning coffee and greet the new day, especially on one of the 'bird days' throughout the year.
 





Save the Eagles Day is January 10


Hand-cut wood Eagle key chain
Scroll Saw Hand-Cut Wood Eagle Key Chain

This flying eagle wood key chain is handmade by Susan of Wentzville, Missouri and featured in her Etsy Shop Ooh Look, It's a Rabbit.

Susan uses maple backed with walnut. She filled it with clear casting epoxy resin which allows the color of the backing wood to show through the image. She then attached a 4 inch long ball chain and a 32 mm split ring to securely hold your keys.

The size of the oval is 1 3/8 inches high and 2 3/4 inches long. 


Eagles are considered the "King of Birds", a common symbol in heraldry.  The 'American Bald Eagle' is the national symbol of the United States and is only found in North America.
 

More special days set aside to recognize the birds we all enjoy.  More about these 'days' coming soon.


  • February is National Bird and Wild Bird Feeding Month 
  • Great Backyard Bird Count - February 17-20, 2017  
  • Homes for Birds Week - Second Week of February 
  • International Festival of Owls - March 3-5, 2017  
  • National Birding Day - April 1, 2017 (First Saturday of April) 
  • Draw a Picture of a Bird Day - April 8  
  • Audubon Day - April 26  
  • National Go Birding Day - April 29, 2017 (Last Saturday of April)  
  • Christmas Bird Count Week - December 14, 2017 - January 5, 2018 (Every Dec. 14 - Jan. 5)  

A Bird Resource Book




 
Birds of North America Book by National Geographic
Available on Amazon

This book guide of the "Complete Birds of North America" is a terrific  resource that covers every bird species found in North America as well as all the seasonal visitors.  

The book provides information on more than 1,000 species, including hundreds of range and migration maps, identification information, and many illustrations by expert bird artists.




 
*Article written on National Bird Day January 5, 2017. (c) Wednesday Elf





Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”

8 comments:

  1. Nice. Thanks for reminding me that it is National bird day I had forgotten about it, I think I have a hub for that day on Hubpages.
    Wishing you a wonderful 2017, and so pleased we have met up again my friend.

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    1. Delighted you dropped by Elsie. Good to connect again. I'll have to go search out your Bird Day article on Hubpages.

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  2. Such delightful features and a wonderful way to bring birds inside our homes. They are all adorable, but I just love the birds with their birdhouses set of coasters. I enjoy watching birds myself and it is great to be able to identify them. I used to have a book the I referenced for that purpose. If I can't find it, I just might need the one you have featured.

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    1. Bird design coasters always fit into any home decor, Mouse. I love creating them. Thanks for stopping by my 'bird day' article.

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  3. Love all the crocheted pieces here, especially love the parrot!

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  4. Well, Pat, that is a lot of information that I never knew. Always learning something new from you. Love the hand made key chain, and the beautiful work you do. Thanks!

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