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What can some of our feathered friends teach you about English language learning? Plenty. So let’s briefly look at some of the techniques you can apply in your own English language teaching and learning situations.
bird Species to Note
A variety of bird species have an innate ability to imitate foreign sounds. Species include:
o Parrots
o Mynahs
o Mockingbirds
This ability includes the imitation of or “mocking” of human speech as well as whistling tunes and making “rude” noises. Surely you’re all familiar with the “Polly want a cracker” speech imitation mode. A former neighbor’s parrot annoyed almost everyone with a recognizable, but naughty whistle it “learned” to give whenever anyone walked by. But do you know exactly how these birds are “taught” to imitate human language?
Stimulus and Reward
One key technique used to train birds and other animals as well, is the “stimulus and reward” method. The other is “time interval repetition”. When combined, birds of several different species can be “trained” t “talk”. That is, they repeat an imprinted sound pattern sequence and are then rewarded with a morsel of food. Sound stimulus and repetition then finally lead to a reward if “performed” by the bird. In the wild, Mockingbirds can imitate the sounds of predators and other bird species like hawks, to trick or scare enemies and rivals away.
The EFL or Foreign Language Learner
So how then, does this impact an EFL or foreign language learner? Simply that by imitating correct or native speaker connected speech patterns a high level of pronunciation and speaking fluency can be achieved. To accomplish this, the learner essentially requires the following:
o A native (or near-native) English or foreign language speaking model
This can be a “live” person or a series of audio or video repeatable recordings. Whether on VHS, BETA video cassettes, CD ROMs or DVDs, the learner must be able to stop and repeat as necessary.
o A manner of receiving any necessary error-correction and fine-tuning of connected or pronunciation elements
This is mostly accomplished through the efforts of an instructor or speech coach whose responsibility is to provide needed demonstration, correction and feedback for the learner’s improvement.
Although the use of audio cassettes and voice only media are also useful, the process can be more difficult because learners do not have the ability to see the movement and positions of speech-producing organs. Not only are the throat and vocal chords used in speech, but also the lips, teeth, tongue hard and soft palates play important roles. In addition, models can be acquired from online sources in a number of formats. CALL (Computer-Aided Language Learning) author Gavin Dudeney, in his work with web quests and online learning projects advises having a multi-modal approach to English or foreign language learning which includes connected speech and pronunciation aspects.
By applying the techniques of “mimicking” or “shadow Talking” to your English or foreign language learning repertoire, substantial progress in connected speech improvement can be achieved in a relatively short period of time. The technique is referred to as “Shadow talking” or “mimicking” as noted by Australian English language-learning researcher Christopher Dugdale. We’ll have more on the application of these techniques in upcoming article posts.
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A number of people have mentioned to us that they have had a bird feeder up for awhile and have had no birds at it. Our first question to them is “Do the birds know the food is there?” We generally recommend that new birders use a platform type bird feeder to begin with. A platform feeder is simply a flat feeder on which bird seed is spread.
So, What kinds of birds come to a platform feeder? Almost any seed eating bird that sees it will come in. In addition, there are birds which I call scratchers. Scratchers are birds like juncos, towhees, quails, thrashers, White-crowned Sparrows and others who normally feed by scratching in the leaves or on the ground to find their seeds. These species are the easiest to attract with type of bird feeder because these feeders accommodate the scratching instinct of these birds and gives them a much more comfortable feeding environment.
There are several types of platform bird feeders including pole mounted platform feeders which can usually also be mounted on deck railings or flat tree stumps, hanging tray platform bird feeders and window mounted platform feeders. Our favorite is a pole mounted platform feeder made out of recycled poly lumber. When it comes time to clean this feeder, I simply brush off the loose seed, spray it with a 10% bleach solution, spray it down with the hose to rinse it off and when it dries I refill it with seed. These recycled material feeders are available in pole mounted, hanging tray or window mounted platform feeders.
The advantages of platform type bird feeders are many.
1. They easily show any bird flying over that seed is available to them.
2. Many birds may be too timid or cautious to venture under the roof of some bird feeders in the beginning.
3. They accommodate the feeding instincts of the scratchers.
4. By raising the feed up off the ground you will not attract rodents which come into seed spread on the ground.
5. Platform feeders may be used under hopper or tube feeders to catch seeds that may be spilled by the birds or to catch seed hulls, providing for a cleaner bird feeding area.
6. Most platform bird feeders fit in well with our easy to clean and easy to fill philosophy.
There are several important considerations to think about when purchasing one of these feeders. These include:
1. The feeder should have short sides to keep the bird seed or hulls from blowing out in the wind.
2. Your feeder should be able to drain in the rain. Bird seed can get moldy quickly when wet and moldy seed is not healthy for birds.
3. The bottom of the feeder should be removable for easy cleaning.
4. It is important to know that the feeder may be mounted where you will be able to see it and enjoy the birds it draws in. With the selection listed previously, there should be a platform bird feeder appropriate for any yard.
Platform bird feeders make a nice starter bird feeder or wonderful addition to an established bird feeding station. They can help you develop a backyard bird habitat that you can be proud of and that will attract many different species of birds.
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I. Different Types of Crows
Crows are large passerine birds that comprise the genus Corvus in the family Corvidae. Here are the more common crows found in North America.
* The American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) is a large passerine bird species of the family Corvidae. It is a common bird found throughout much of North America. In the interior of the continent south of the Arctic, is it simply called a crow, as no other such birds live there on any regular basis.
* The Fish Crow (Corvus ossifragus) is a typical crow in appearance that is associated with wetland habitats. This bird species is superficially similar to the American crow, but is smaller (36-41 cm in length) and has a more silky smooth plumage by comparison.
The differences are often only really apparent between the two species when they’re side by side or by their calls. The bill is usually somewhat slimmer than the American crow, but again, this may not help much when there is no other bird for comparison.
* The Common Raven (Corvus corax), also known as the Northern Raven, is a large, all-black passerine bird in the crow family.
II. Crows as Pests
Not only do crows feed on recently cast seed in rural areas, but they also gather nightly, starting with groups of a half dozen, which then unite to form a group of twenty to thirty and so on until the flock is quite large and noisy. It is their habit to return to the same place each night.
Machinery of various kinds, such as miniature windmills or horse rattles that are put in motion by the wind are often employed to frighten crows; however, all of these devices soon become familiar to the birds, so they quickly cease to be of any use whatever.
III. Basic Crow Control
* The Scarecrow: The most effectual method of banishing crows from a cornfield, as far as experience goes, is to combine scarecrows with the frequent use of the shotgun. Nothing strikes terror in these sagacious animals more than the sight of a fowling-piece and the explosion of gun powder, which they have known so often to be fatal to their race. But of course, if you want, you can leave the gun behind. The scarecrow is a device, traditionally a human figure dressed in old clothes or a mannequin that is used to discourage crows from disturbing crops (hence the name).
Modern scarecrows seldom take a human shape. On California farmland, highly reflective aluminum PET film ribbons are tied to the plants to create shimmers from the sun. Another approach is automatic noise guns powered with propane gas.
The scarecrow method is a motion-sensing sprinkler and is a great method for getting rid of crows. The crow can’t possibly get hurt, and other critters such as squirrels, raccoons, deer, dogs and cats, are also repelled. It could also be fun to try fireworks, strobe lights, sirens, horns, music or right-wing talk radio.
* Perch Repellents: Crows are difficult birds to get rid of because they are persistent pests and their populations in urban areas are usually quite numerous. If you live in a rural area, crow control is quite simple: scare them or shoot them. If you live in an urban area, the chance of being arrested after shooting a gun outdoors is high.
Your first line of urban defense against crows is the mechanical perch repellent – those sharp wires and needles that you see on the ledges and roofs of many state institutions.
* Bird Repellents: There are a ton of bird repellent chemicals and devices on the market today. You can’t type bird control into a search engine without an entire result page filled with bird control device manufacturers’ home pages.
Nevertheless, one of the most trusted brands in the bird repellent market is Bird-X. Bird-X’s policy is to provide non-lethal, non-harmful, environmentally safe and ecologically sound products, or so they say. Check it out for yourself to confirm these claims. In addition, Bird-X regularly receives referrals from the Audubon Society and the Animal Damage Control division of the USDA. You can’t go wrong with an endorsement from the Audubon Society.
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Spring is here and early summer is on the way. With early summer comes baby birds leaving the nest. Many people see a baby bird on the ground and immediately think they should do something to help it. However, before you try to help any baby wild bird you should be certain that the bird really needs your help. There are several things to consider before you attempt to provide assistance.
A key point to remember is that some birds actually nest on the ground, especially precocial birds. These are birds that are covered with down feathers and can move about with the parents almost as soon as they are hatched. Gallinaceous birds (quails, pheasants, turkeys, grouse), shorebirds and ducks are precocial. Therefore, if you see baby quails, turkey, shorebirds or ducks on the ground before they can fly, remember, they belong there.
Another thing you should know about is fledglings. These are baby birds that have left the nest but are not fully feathered. Their flying skills are limited to short low flights or long hops. Do not worry if you see a fledgling on the ground. Most birds leave the nest before they can fly and this is a normal part of their development. The parents will coach the young birds to safety by calling them or landing on the ground and leading them to shelter. The baby may be very noisy and that , too, is normal. The baby calls to the parents for food in much the same way a human baby cries for attention. Robin, Towhee, Jay and Sparrow fledglings are most frequently encountered on the ground in backyards and parks. Remember, they belong there.
Now you know that not all baby birds require your assistance. So, how do you determine if a baby bird is healthy and happy or one that truly needs you help?
The first thing you need to determine is if the parent birds are taking care of the baby or not. To best accomplish this clear children, pets and yourself out of the area but position yourself out of sight such that you can still observe the baby. This will give the parents the opportunity to come to the baby. Wait patiently for at least one hour to see if the parent birds come in to the baby. Why so long? You must remember that the parents will usually have more than one fledgling to feed and care for and each baby must wait his turn to feed.
If it is not possible to keep the neighbors cat or children away from the bird, by all means move the baby to shelter. This is best done by capturing the bird by placing a towel over it and releasing it in low, thick shrubs. Do not place a fledgling high in a tree. Remember, they cannot fly yet. Start timing the hour over again. Contrary to popular believe, the adult birds will not abandon the fledgling because you have touched it. They have very strong parental instincts, much like humans. The baby will continue to call and the adult birds will generally find him and continue to care for him.
What should you do when an hour has passed and the parent birds have not returned to the baby? Remember, all native wild birds are protected by law so the first step is to call a rehabilitation center or the local wildlife agency or game warden. These people are the best ones to advise you on the local species.
If it is not possible to reach anyone immediately you will need to take action. Locate a container which is large enough for the fledgling to stand and turn around in, but is small enough so that it can not flutter around and hurt itself. Line the bottom of the container with paper towels or tissues. Carefully capture the baby with a towel and place it in the container. Cover the container with the towel remembering to leave a small gap for air circulation. Place the container in a quiet and warm location. Do not play music for the bird or place him on a heating pad and avoid peeking at him as that will induce stress on the baby.
Continue to try to reach the proper officials. It is very hard for the average person to care for a wild baby bird. Different bird species need different foods and feeding the wrong food can be a disaster. Avoid feeding bread to young birds. Adult birds have gravel in their crop and can grind bread crumbs. Often, the crop of baby birds is empty and the bread can compact and can cause death.
ALWAYS REMEMBER that all native wild birds are protected by law and it is not legal for you to posses a wild bird unless you are licensed to do so. Get the fledgling to a licensed, experienced person as soon as possible. If you cannot reach your local game warden try the local animal shelter, humane society, police or veterinarian. With luck they will be able to provide you with the contact information that you need.
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Welcome to a paradise that invites over 350,000 birds belonging to more than 331 species every year! Bharatpur bird Sanctuary in Rajasthan is a superb place that serves as a breeding ground for colourful water birds. Named after a dense forest (dense means Ghana in Hindi), Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary or Ghana Sanctuary is a favourite destination of all the wildlife / nature lovers visiting Rajasthan. Declared a National Park in 1981, this bird sanctuary covers dense greens stretching up to 29 sq km. The animal and plant life at Bharatpur is nurtured by the lakes formed with the shallow waters of the rivers Gambhir & Banganga.
Diversity at Bharatpur
Of all the resident and migratory birds at Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, the Siberian Cranes and Painted Storks serve as the best attraction. According to the official data, about 2000 pairs of painted storks nest over 2.5 sq km of the lake. Usually the birds stay here during monsoon and winter. This is the time when fish is plentiful in the lakes. Catla, rohu, mrigal, calbasu, bata, sarana, murrel, magur & singhi etc. are some of the major fish categories at the lakes of Bharatpur.
Birds in Bharatpur usually reside at one place but migrate for a short time to other areas where food is plentiful. July to October is the best season to plan a trip to Bharatpur. Kingfisher, ducks, geese, spoonbills, white ibises, purple moorhen cormorant, spotted owlets etc are some other popular species of birds that can be seen easily here.
Bharatpur in Rajasthan is a place where one can spot the rarest of birds coming from Central Asia, China, Middle East, Siberia, Tripoli etc.
kapong