It would surprise you the numerous species of birds that mother nature has bequeathed to mankind and the many benefits that they bring to us. In fact I was both bemused and astounded when I heard some of the strange and interesting names of birds in the world and Ghana. And to think that all along I perceived all birds as plain birds, though I occasionally saw a strange bird either perched on a tr
ee or fly past. Different Bird Species
Talk about the Plantain Eater, Crocodile Bird, Nightjars, Bulbuls, Goliath Heron, Bustards, Red Bishop, T**s, Laughing and tambourine Doves and (you can't help laughing at this) - the Secretary Bird, which has its scientific name as Sagittarius Serpentarius. An attempt to give a rundown of the different species of birds would leave us gasping for breath if not suicidal. Nevertheless let me try listing some of the over thousand and 700 species of birds that can be found in the West African sub-region and Ghana respectively. Classified into forest, savannah or terrestrial and water birds (89 species of which come to the coast of Ghana annually), they are the Ostriches, Grebes, Pelicans, Cormorants, Darters, Herons, Egrets, Hammerkop, Storks, Ibises, Spoonbills, Flamingoes, Ducks, Geese, Vultures, Harriers, Harrier-Eagles, Sparrow hawks, Goshawks, Buzzards, Eagles and Kites. Others are the Falcons, Francolins, Quails, Guinea-Fowls, Rails, Crakes, Gallinules, Coots, Finfoot, Cranes, Lily-Trotters, Thick-Knees or Stone Curlews, Plovers, Sandpipers, Snipe, Coursers, Pratincoles, Gulls, Terns, Pigeons, Doves, Cuckoos, Owls, Babblers, Parrots, Canaries, Weavers, Hornbills, Swallows and many more. Also, the Black Winged Stilt which can be found at both the Sakumono and Densu Deltas or Ramsar sites at Tema and Accra in Ghana, Black Terns, Little Terns, Little Egrets, Grey Heron and Senegal Cougal which are all local birds. Enquiries have revealed that though most of the forest and savannah birds are indigenous they are not endemic to Ghana. There is also still uncertainty as to whether all the various species of birds found in the West African sub-region as well as Ghana truly belong here, Europe or any of the other continents as their nesting and breeding 'residences' differ. Bird-watching in Ghana
Well, though it is an undisputed fact that birds are so beautiful to behold, it goes without saying that the Bird-watching sport, or is it pastime, is not very popular in our part of the world. As revealed when this newspaper called at the offices of the Ghana Wildlife Society, this phenomenon is largely due to the fact that our forbears concentrated all their efforts at promoting tourism on the legacy (monuments) left by our colonial masters. However as gathered now, birds are a great source of revenue for many countries through ecological tourism. "If we develop that aspect of tourism, it would add up tremendously to the earnings of tourism," Mr. Samuel Nyame, in charge of Wetlands and Birds Conservation at the Ghana Wildlife Society opined. Bird watching is catching on with many people who visit bird-watching sites to look out for birds, which have migrated over long distances. Currently in Ghana, birds can be watched at all designated protected areas, which is made up of resource and game reserves or wildlife sanctuaries as well as Ramsar sites. Birds in flight and plumage change
Birds, research has shown, travel several thousands of kilometres as the weather pattern changes. Most of these birds migrate from Europe to Africa from August every year to escape the harsh wintry conditions and only fly back when the weather normalises. Talk about birds also enjoying their summer holidays in Africa every year. Another interesting feature of the birds is the changing of their plumage (Molting) as the weather pattern changes. In other words, birds have their summer as well as winter plumage, a feature which has the propensity to make one think of a particular bird as a new specie, save a trained eye. The changing of their dress, so to speak, also comes in handy during breeding. In fact it has been established that while changing of plumage is pronounced in water birds it is mostly forest birds, which wear very beautiful plumage to attract their females instead of what is conventionally known. For answers make a date next week. Still chirping with the birds
Definitely not! Birds do not only fly, chirp or squawk. They perform many roles other than chirping to signal the dawning of a new day. In fact come to think of it, how would you feel and most importantly what would go on in your mind, if you should wake up one day from bed to realize that the birds have gone on strike with their chirping? I guess you would see it as strange and really be scared, thinking that the world is coming to an end, more especially if you should receive confirmation from some friends that the birds did not and are not chirping. But well, as it is with many freebees of nature, we tend to take both the cacophony and harmony of chirps to wake us from our beds for granted. Some may argue that birds are a nuisance because some make their nests in the roofs of our buildings and in little openings in our mosquito netting. Others may tow that same line, arguing that they (birds) pick on our fruits and grains, (maize and rice especially) but wait till the end of this piece and judge whether they are more of a nuisance than a blessing or vice versa. Aviation and birds:
The importance of birds even stretches to aviation. It was by critically observing the flight of a bird that manufacturers of aircraft developed the concept of flaps to aid the plane to fly better. Ask any pilot or aviation engineer and he would confirm this assertion on the development of the wing and tail flaps of the aircraft. Also, have you ever been to an air show or witnessed aircraft flying in formation? That was all taken from the birds which love to fly certain times in beautiful patterns when traveling in a group or flocking together. Remember this cliché "Birds of the same feather flock together"? This is how it came about. Bird-watching:
As mentioned in the previous piece, bird-watching has really not caught on with Ghanaians, though that sport or pastime is not new in Europe and other places in the world. The fact that birds are a delight to watch especially with lenses (binoculars and telescopes) to really come to terms with their diversity and intricate colours patterns cannot be disputed. Research has shown that back in Europe watching birds goes beyond delight to offering a lot of comfort to widows and people who lack company. It is said to give watchers a sense of fulfillment or happiness as they observe the feeding habits of the birds as well as construction of their nests among others. Promotion of Eco-Tourism
Eco-Tourism is fast becoming a major foreign exchange earner for many an African country, a situation which begs Ghana to develop her potential in this regard, in view of the numerous species of birds, which can be sighted all across the country all year round. It is on record that a former President of the United States of America, Jimmy Carter, as well as many important dignitaries and foreigners have gone on bird watching expeditions when they visited Ghana. Birds, the fisherman's friend
Though this may sound outrageous, it has been proven that fishermen and birds share a special bond of friendship. Apart from testifying that birds become their guides to shore whenever they are lost at sea, sea birds such as the Terns (10 species) also lead the fishermen to shoals of fish and thus aid to rope in big catches. Ornithology and other gains:
The study of birds has very much enhanced study of the migration concept and also become a boost to scientific research. It has been noted that the interesting features of birds has resulted in much research of the two-winged flying creature. Ringing, which involves the putting of a labeled ring on the leg of a bird aids in studying the ecology of birds through their migratory patterns. This is practiced in many bird areas including Ghana. By this method, the life span of birds as well as how far they can fly is easily figured out through cooperation between ornithologists in the opposing countries or areas (where the bird was ringed ad where they are sighted). Bird studies also promote good relationship between universities in Ghana and abroad and also bring about support and assistance from organizations associated with birds. Birds and the environment:
Birds serve as one of the best environmental indicators. Their presence anywhere speaks volumes of the environment as to whether all is well or there is something amiss. The presence of birds also shows the biological importance or going technical, the biodiversity significance of an area. The presence of carcass would always attract members of the vulture family, whilst the prevalence of fruits and flowers would always attract Nectar and Seed Eaters. Agents of seed dispersal:
I remember that when I was just a kid, I always assumed that fruit tress that sprung up in our backyard without us planting them were cultivated by God himself. However I now know that Seed Eaters and other birds in view of their eating habit become agents of seed dispersal. Indication of pollution:
Over the years, oil slicks, which have resulted from oil spill from tankers, have killed many fishes as well as many a water bird and birds which have been fortunate to escape death, have been picked up and cleaned by some environmental groups. Just as these oil spills, wherever birds have been found dead in their numbers it has pointed to one thing- pollution. Dealing with pests and dangerous reptiles:
Though hard to believe, birds prey on roaches, pests and others that are seen as a nuisance to man. If I was very bewildered the first time I saw a domestic fowl feeding on a cockroach, then the following new findings gave and still give me the jitters. Can you imagine a bird eating up a snake of all animals? Yet that is the delicacy of ...(you wouldn't believe it) the Secretary Bird. It pounds its victim to death with its powerful feet before doing justice. Research has also shown that owls are very good pest controllers. They feed on mice and little lizards. There are other birds such as the Cattle Egrets which follow cattle when they are grazing to feed on insects that fly up with the advance of the cattle. To add a few more, other pest species are the Bee-Eaters, Flycatches and Bat Hawk. In view of the above and the fact that some bird species in Ghana are considered endangered, the Wildlife Laws of Ghana offers protection for them, which we would look at next week. Protecting our chirping birds
In view of the importance of the various bird species to Ghana's ecology, research as well as tourism development, and generally their importance to the environment, the Wildlife Laws of Ghana provides for the protection of a number of them. L.I. 685:
Legislative Instrument 685, which is the Wildlife Conservation Regulations, promulgated in March 1971 categorises protection of wildlife including birds into three. They are those that are wholly protected, partly protected and those covered only in close season. The legislative instrument also spells out prohibited methods of hunting of animals and offences when there is non-compliance, prohibition of hunting without licence, application for game licence, displays the nature of a licence and indicates its validity, states prohibition of exporting without permit, application for game and trophy export permit and the forfeiting of illegal equipment and apparatus among others. However for our purpose, we would only concentrate on the different species of birds that are protected under L.I. 658 and what kind of protection they enjoy and perhaps the prohibited ways of hunting plus offences, to serve as a guide and also enable us police their hunting in order to bring offenders to book. The birds, which enjoy protection, are put into three groups referred to as Schedules. According to Mr. Nyamekye of the Ghana Wildlife Society (GWS), their categorisation is based on the dwindling population of some birds, their economic importance to man in areas such as pest control (a typical type of such birds are Owls which feed on mice) and birds that are threatened - such endangered bird species are said to be on a red data list. Birds that are wholly protected:
With bird species that are wholly protected (protected all year round), the Wildlife Conservation Regulation states, "No person shall at any time hunt, capture or destroy any of the species mentioned in the First Schedule to these regulations." Birds listed in this schedule under series 'c' are all birds of prey, which include Falcons, Kites, Hawks, Eagles, Buzzards, Kestrels etc. as well as Owls. Following after are Egrets, specifically the Great White Egret, Little Egret and Cattle Egret. Also covered by L.I. 685 are the Secretary Bird, Stocks such as the Marabou, Jabiru or Saddle-bill, Sacred Ibis and Goliath Heron. Other bird species, which are wholly protected, are the Crowned Crane, White-breasted Guinea Fowl, Bare-headed Rock Fowl as well as Storninae and all Terns which were added by L.I. 1357. Partly protected birds:
The Conservation Regulations says of wildlife partly protected that, "No person shall at any time hunt, capture or destroy - (a) young animals; or (b) animals accompanied by their young, of any of the species mentioned in the Second Schedule to these regulations." However, the prelude of the Second Schedule submits that hunting and capturing of any animal specie in this section is only absolutely restricted during a particular period. It states that "The hunting, capturing or destroying of any species listed in this Schedule is absolutely prohibited between 1st August and 1st December in any year." As can be noticed, this regulation aims at protecting the young of animal species including birds from harm and thus extinction. Birds in this category are all Parrots, Doves and Pigeons, all Touracos and Plantain Eaters, all Weavers, Waxbills, Manikins, Bishop Birds, Fire-finches, Cordonsbleus, Whydahs and Canaries. Birds protected only in close season:
Animals protected only in this season are those for which hunting is not permitted between August 1st and December 1st of any year. The Regulations state that "No person shall between the 1st day of August and the 1st day of December in any year hunt, capture or destroy any of the species mentioned in the Second and Third Schedules to these Regulations." That means in addition to birds listed under Schedule Two, hunting or killing of the following is only prohibited during a close season. Birds in this category are all Francolins also known as bush fowls, the Stone Partridge, Quails, all Guinea Fowls, all Bustards and ducks and geese such as the Hartlaub's Duck, White faced Duck, Fulvous Duck, Pygmy Goose, Knob-billed Goose, Egyptian Goose and Spur-winged Goose. But how can one know all species in order to prevent transgressing the law? Well, I guess the safest thing would be to school one's self on those that are wholly protected and do some hunting of those which do not fall under this category, only in close season.
