Bird History

Bird History explores the multifaceted relationships between humans and birds in America, focusing on historical perspectives on bird conservation, consumption, domestication, and cultural significance. It delves into economic ornithology, naming conventions, presidential birding habits, the impact of immigration and xenophobia on bird conservation, and the evolution of bird-related practices and beliefs.

Economic Ornithology Bird Conservation Cultural Significance of Birds Historical Human-Bird Relationships Bird Domestication and Consumption Bird-Related Legislation and Public Opinion Impact of Urbanization and Climate Change on Birds Birds in Literature and Mythology

The hottest Substack posts of Bird History

And their main takeaways

Economic Ornithology

379 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🔬 Science Ornithology Conservation Agriculture Research History
  1. Before pesticides, birds were valued by farmers for their role in controlling bugs on crops, and economic ornithologists calculated the precise worth of each bird in dollars.
  2. The Bureau of Biological Survey was established to study the economic impact of birds on agriculture, shifting focus to quantify the benefits and drawbacks of various bird species on crops.
  3. Studies conducted by economic ornithologists resulted in a widespread belief in the economic significance of birds in pest control, but the field eventually lost credibility as pesticides and modern agricultural practices took over.

Capital Birds

139 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture History Education
  1. Washington, DC has a rich history of bird lovers, researchers, educators, and lobbyists, along with a diverse bird population that has been observed for over 125 years.
  2. The city's residents in the past were heavily involved in Audubon Societies, advocating for bird protection through education, classes, and enforcing laws to preserve birds from threats like market hunters and feather use in fashion.
  3. Changes over the years, such as urban development and climate shifts, have affected bird populations in Washington, with some species becoming scarcer while others have become more common. However, key areas like Rock Creek Park remain popular birding spots.

Our Birdy Presidents

139 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Presidents
  1. Many of America's early presidents hunted birds for sport rather than necessity, reflecting the leisurely pursuits of wealthy white men back then.
  2. Presidential interest in birds varied, with some owning exotic pets like parrots and canaries, and others engaging in birdwatching and conservation efforts.
  3. Some presidents, like Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin Roosevelt, had a genuine love for birds, actively birdwatched, and contributed to bird conservation efforts.

Birds and Slavery

79 implied HN points • 28 Mar 24
💾 History Slavery Ornithology Freedom
  1. Birds played a significant role in the lives of enslaved men and women, representing forced labor but also providing opportunities for food, freedom, and sometimes even companionship.
  2. Slaves often engaged in hunting birds to feed the plantation, showcasing exceptional skills to provide food for the masters, while being deprived of the best game themselves.
  3. Enslaved Africans developed their own ornithology, understanding and relating to birds in unique ways that went beyond mere exploitation, showcasing a complex relationship with the natural world.

“An Innocent Recreation”: Shooting Pigeons for Sport

79 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
💾 History Activism Animal Welfare Extinction
  1. Pigeon-shooting contests were popular in the 1800s but were shut down by animal rights activists, leading to the extinction of passenger pigeons.
  2. Trap shooting competitions used live pigeons as targets, with shooters aiming to hit them as they were released from traps, sparking tournaments that consumed thousands of birds.
  3. Controversy arose over the cruelty and wastefulness of live pigeon shooting, leading to the development and adoption of clay pigeons as a more humane and popular alternative.
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Eating King Can

99 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🍲 Food & Drink Cuisine Conservation History Species
  1. Canvasbacks were once America's most famous and exclusive dish, known for their unique appearance and diet.
  2. The demand for canvasbacks led to fraudulent sales, with some buyers being tricked by vendors substituting them with similar-looking but cheaper ducks.
  3. Conservation efforts have helped stabilize the canvasback population, but threats like habitat loss still pose risks to these birds in the present day.

Boy Bird House Architecture

79 implied HN points • 05 Dec 23
💾 History Conservation Education Contests Children
  1. In the Progressive era, children learned to build birdhouses in school to protect birds and cultivate important life values.
  2. Building birdhouses in schools was not just about conservation, but also about nurturing a love for birds and nature in children.
  3. Birdhouse building contests were a common community event that engaged boys, taught craftsmanship, and promoted bird protection on a larger scale.

How Robins Got Their Name

99 implied HN points • 06 Aug 23
🔬 Science Nature Biology History Culture Environment
  1. Robins named in England were given human names like Robert and Robin due to their familiarity and endearing qualities.
  2. American settlers in North America applied the name Robin to birds with orange breasts despite being different species from the English robin.
  3. The name Robin has been widely adopted by various birds across different continents, showcasing the historical influence of English colonization and erasure of indigenous knowledge.

The Italian Problem, Part II: No Halfway Measures

59 implied HN points • 04 Jan 24
💾 History Conservation Immigration Laws Activism
  1. Conservationists in the early 1900s clashed with Italian immigrants over the tradition of eating songbirds, leading to heated conflicts and even fatal incidents.
  2. Enforcement of laws protecting songbirds led to heavy fines and long prison sentences for Italian immigrants caught hunting, sparking significant tensions and occasional violence.
  3. Efforts to educate Italian communities about bird protection laws included posting bilingual signs and organizing lectures, with varying degrees of success in changing behaviors.

The Italian Problem, Part I: Bird-Killing Foreigners

59 implied HN points • 28 Dec 23
💾 History Immigration Conservation Wildlife
  1. Italian immigrants in the early 20th century hunted and ate songbirds, conflicting with American conservationists.
  2. Americans blamed Italian immigrants for the decline in bird populations, regarding them as a threat to agriculture and the food supply.
  3. There was a strong xenophobic sentiment towards Italians, with harsh punishments called for those caught killing songbirds.

Everyone Had A Feather Bed

79 implied HN points • 26 Sep 23
💾 History
  1. Feather beds were a common and valuable item in 18th and 19th century America, made from feathers of various birds, each household trying to gather enough feathers to stuff a bed.
  2. Feather beds required proper care and attention to prevent them from turning smelly and lumpy, with feathers needing to be treated before use.
  3. As coil-spring mattresses with cotton became popular, feather beds lost their appeal in the late 19th century, showcasing a shift in bedding preferences towards more modern options.

The Spirit of Audubon

59 implied HN points • 14 Nov 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Film Conservation Nature History
  1. During the Silent Film Era, the Audubon Society and other conservation-minded individuals created films to entertain, educate, and promote bird conservation through dramas and documentaries.
  2. Filmmaking played a crucial role in promoting bird protection and educating the public during the early 1900s, with nature documentaries and dramas used for classrooms, lectures, and theaters.
  3. The film 'The Spirit of Audubon' showcases how Audubon societies embraced movies to spread bird knowledge, showcasing a shift towards using films as an educational tool to engage the public and especially children.

To Hear a Mockingbird

59 implied HN points • 25 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Literature History Music Art & Illustration Nature
  1. Mockingbirds have been historically admired for their exceptional singing abilities and have been common in American literature and culture.
  2. The practice of capturing mockingbirds and keeping them in cages was prevalent in the past, especially in the South, highlighting a complex relationship between humans and these birds.
  3. The symbolism of mockingbirds as innocent and pure creatures, as well as their protected status, led to their conservation and expansion into new habitats, promoting the importance of wildlife preservation.

Bringing Wild Birds Home

59 implied HN points • 10 Oct 23
💾 History
  1. European colonizers attempted to domesticate America's wild birds, impressed by their abundance and desirability for meat, but largely failed in these efforts.
  2. The Mallard duck was the only North American bird successfully domesticated, with most other attempts proving unsuccessful due to the birds' wild nature.
  3. Canada Geese were domesticated to some extent for their feathers and meat, and even used as live decoys by hunters, though they retained their wild instincts and were not fully suitable for domestication at scale.

Eating the Birds of America

59 implied HN points • 18 Aug 23
🍲 Food & Drink
  1. John James Audubon sampled and reviewed the taste of a variety of American birds, even the obscure and freshly discovered species.
  2. Audubon's fame came from his extensive work 'Birds of America', where he not only painted 435 bird species but also reflected on the culinary qualities of their meat.
  3. In the 19th century, Audubon's extensive eating of various bird species surpassed the culinary experiences of most people of his time, making him the record holder for 'most species of American birds eaten.'

Luxury Dining in 1899

39 implied HN points • 05 Sep 23
🍲 Food & Drink
  1. Delmonico's in 1899 offered a high-end dining experience with a menu that included expensive items like Canvasback duck, which was considered haute cuisine at the time.
  2. The journey of a Canvasback duck from its natural habitat to the dinner table at Delmonico's involved an elaborate system of market hunting, game processing, and transportation by rail.
  3. The demand for luxury game birds like Canvasbacks in urban markets drove a national network that transformed the way people consumed birds, impacting the environment and leading to concerns about wildlife conservation.

A History of Window Strikes

39 implied HN points • 13 Sep 23
🔬 Science Ornithology Conservation Technology History
  1. Birds face significant threats from collisions with buildings, resulting in the death of millions of birds each year.
  2. Historically, various structures such as lighthouses, telegraph wires, and buildings have been responsible for causing bird fatalities, spanning over 200 years.
  3. While skyscrapers and towers have the most dramatic effect on bird fatalities, most birds die from collisions with low-rise buildings and residences, highlighting the need for bird-safe design practices.

Transatlantic Turkeys

19 implied HN points • 22 Nov 23
💾 History Colonization Cultural Exchange
  1. Domesticated turkeys were brought from Europe to America by early colonizers, becoming an essential resource for establishing colonies.
  2. Turkeys spread rapidly through Europe, becoming cheaper and more common than other large birds by the 1550s.
  3. The intermingling of domestic and wild turkeys in America led to the creation of unique breeds like American Bronze and Bourbon Red, reflecting the blending of European colonies into the American republic.

When Birds Mean Death

19 implied HN points • 31 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture History Folklore Beliefs Symbolism Nature
  1. Owls have historically been associated with death and fear by different cultures, with beliefs about their calls foretelling misfortune or demise.
  2. The arrival of European settlers in America brought over beliefs about birds, like owls, being evil omens, creating a sense of fear and superstition towards them.
  3. The intimidating and mysterious nature of owls, especially their nocturnal habits and unique physical characteristics, contribute to their reputation as ominous symbols.

America’s Hummingbirds

19 implied HN points • 23 Aug 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Painting History Fashion Migration Nature
  1. Early European colonizers in America were captivated by the miniscule hummingbirds because of their colors and behavior, despite having no practical use.
  2. Hummingbirds are unique to the Americas, with over 350 species living in Central and South America, and only the ruby-throated hummingbird making its way up to New England.
  3. During the 19th century, hummingbirds were heavily harvested for fashion, ending with federal protection under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in 1918.

The First Cat War

1 HN point • 25 Jan 24
🔬 Science Environment Animals Conservation Wildlife History
  1. Conservationists in the early 1900s identified cats as a serious threat to bird populations, sparking a heated debate with cat-lovers accusing bird-lovers of hysteria.
  2. Outdoor cats were seen as harmful to bird populations, particularly during nesting seasons, with young birds being easy prey, leading to significant declines in bird populations.
  3. Efforts were made to find humane solutions to protect birds from cats, including restraining cats at night, using bells on cat collars, and advocating for laws requiring cat licenses to reduce the feral cat population.

Of Locusts and Doe-Birds: The Extinction of the Eskimo Curlew

0 implied HN points • 06 Aug 23
🔬 Science Ornithology Conservation
  1. The Eskimo Curlew faced extinction due to industrial-scale hunting and habitat destruction in the late 19th century, despite efforts for protection coming too late.
  2. Eskimo Curlews were marathon migrants, making a challenging journey from the Arctic to South America and back, facing significant hunting pressure along the way.
  3. The disappearance of the Rocky Mountain locust and destruction of the prairie grasslands contributed to the rapid decline and extinction of the Eskimo Curlew population.

The Ostrich: America’s Once and Future Bird

0 implied HN points • 29 Aug 23
💾 History American history Economic History
  1. In the late 1800s, there was a boom in ostrich farming in America due to high demand for ostrich feathers, which were a luxury accessory for women's fashion.
  2. Ostrich farming proved to be a profitable business, with each ostrich feather fetching up to $5, leading to a surge in ostrich farms and tourist attractions around them.
  3. The domestic ostrich industry saw a revival in the 1980s, but it eventually collapsed due to a speculative bubble, showing the cyclical nature of ostrich farming in America.