LEAH CAMPBELL wrote:
I am confused and disturbed by some folks' sentiment that birds are "nasty creatures." I cannot begin to fathom the resoning behind this notion. Some will say that birds carry diseases;Do they mean bird diseases are worse than our human-transmitted smallpox, poliomyelitis, or syphilis and other STDs?
The amazing thing about people is that since their droppings get flushed down the toilet--along with all sorts of other contaminants, flotsam, and jetsam--they figure the waste just disappears; out of sight, out of mind. Maybe they should live downstream from themselves for a while. In addition, I've yet to see a bird that fouls the air with sulfur emissions, particulate lead, or similar pollutants or that casts off beer bottles or cigarette butts while flying through the air.others are repulsed by bird droppings.
However, in my mind, a bird's beauty and charm so greatly outweighs any negative aspect.Aesthetics aside, beauty lies in function, not appearance--and birds seem to function very nicely as part of a balanced environment. We humans should do so well.
"Takes one to know one?" (Or how about "Show me how a bird is more nasty than a human.")What should I say to the next person who tells me "birds are nasty"?
I would love to have a great comeback, but I'm usually too stunned to say anything.Perhaps the best thing to do is take the offenders by the hand and help them look at a bird for more than a fraction of a second. Seize the teachable moment, and share something interesting you know about the bird you're observing. Then lend the people a bird book, some binoculars, and a hummingbird feeder. Surely even these curmudgeons wouldn't think that nectar-eating HUMMINGBIRDS are nasty! :-)