1. Your Organization Here

2. Birding Beginnings The words bird watching and bird watcher were first used in the book Bird Watching. The writer Edmund Selous was a British ornithologist who wrote books to engage kids in bird conservation. 1901

3. Birding Beginnings The word birding was first listed in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. 1901 1918 “By permission. From Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition©2011 by Merriam-Webster, Incorporated (www.merriam-webster.com).”

4. Birding Beginnings The first field guide by Roger Tory Peterson launched birding as a hobby. 1901 191 8 1935 The availability of binoculars after World War II also helped increase the popularity of birding.

5. Birding Beginnings An estimated 48 million people in the United States watch birds. 1901 191 8 1935 Birders are an economic force, contributing 82 billion to the economy and over 760,000 jobs. 2006 Lake Louisa State Park, FL

6. You can watch birds almost anywhere and in any place.

7. Birds are awake and active when we are. Have you seen these birds? Black-capped Chickadee American Goldfinch Downy Woodpecker

8. Birds are fairly easy to observe. Northern Cardinal Mourning Dove

9. Watching birds is a great way to enjoy nature and develop an appreciation for the environment. EFTA

10. The American Academy of Pediatrics encourages children to go outside for physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development. USFWS

11. Outdoor activities, such as birding, improve concentration, especially among children with attention disorders. USFWS

12. Birding has positive affects on blood pressure, outlook on life, and stress reduction. EFTA

13. The heartbeat of a small active songbird may exceed 600 beats per minute. The heartbeat of an adult jogging may reach 150 beats per minute. Common Yellowthroat USFWS

14. A hovering hummingbird may beat its wings 80 times per second. How many times can you flap your arms in a second? Ruby-throated Hummingbird USFWS

15. The Ruby-throated Hummingbird flies more than 600 miles across the Gulf of Mexico, but only weighs as much as a penny! That’s amazing! Female Ruby-throated Hummingbird USFWS

16. The Blackpoll Warbler flies 80 to 90 hours non stop over water from North America to South America. In terms of gas, that’s 720,000 miles to the gallon! Blackpoll Warbler Photo by Derek Bakken Blackpoll Warbler Photo by Derek Bakken

17. Stop-Look-Listen You don’t have to go to the zoo to see animals from the rainforest. Just look in your neighborhood! USFWS Barn Swallow: In the summer look for this bird in open areas near water. Winters in Central America and South America Winters in Central America and the Caribbean Indigo Bunting: In the summer look for this birds along wooded edges.

18. Stop-Look-Listen You don’t have to go to the zoo to see animals from the rainforest. Just look in your neighborhood! Yellow Warbler: In the summer look for this bird in shrubby wet areas. Baltimore Oriole: In the summer look for this bird in trees along rivers. Winters in Central America and the northern area of South America Winters in, Florida, Central America, and the Caribbean USFWS

19. Stop-Look-Listen These are common birds you may see in your backyard. Take a minute to observe the acrobatics birds perform! Rufus Hummingbird: Everything about hummingbirds is amazing to watch! USFWS White-breasted Nuthatch: Nuthatches are well adapted to eating and perching upside down! Winters across the United States. USFWS Winters in Mexico.

20. Be a Bird Buddy. Birds need our help too. Become a steward of birds and their habitat. A citizen helping at a bird banding station. USFWS

21. Be a Bird Buddy Keep your feeders clean. Make a simple solution of 9 parts hot water, 1 part bleach. Soak the feeders and let them dry.

22. Be a Bird Buddy Identify windows in your house or office that may cause bird collisions. To prevent collisions you can place 1/8 inch horizontal lines 2 inches apart, or ¼ inch vertical lines 4 inches apart. For more information visit www.abcbirds.org Images By Christine Sheppard

23. Be a Bird Buddy Share your interest in watching birds. USFWS

24. Be a Bird Buddy Avoid using chemicals in your yard. Plant native plants for wildlife LaVonda Walton, USFWS

25. Be a Bird Buddy Participate in a Citizen Conservation Project for birds. The Big Sit: casually count birds with other birders in a defined area. The Great Backyard Bird Count: Count birds in your yard 1 weekend in February. Christmas Bird Count: Count winter birds you observe in a defined area. Walk on the Wildside: Plan or walk in a walkathon to raise money for bird conservation projects.

28. Celebrate International Migratory Bird Day— Go Birding!