Why are Birds
Important?
Dark-eyed Junco,
Herbivore
Niches:
Birds have jobs to do within their ecosystem. Their role within their
ecosystem and the contribution they make is called their
"niche".
- Herbivores:
Seed, berries and fruit eaters help distribute tree seeds and weed
and wildflower seeds. Waterfowl distribute seeds of water
plants;
- Pollinators:
Nectar sippers, like the Ruby Throated Hummingbirds, help
pollinate the flowers they visit for nectar.
- Small
Carnivores: Insect and invertebrate
eaters, like woodpeckers, help keep down large populations of
insect pests.
- Large
Carnivores like the Red Tailed Hawk
help keep down the populations of mice, voles, rabbits, squirrels,
and fish. Waterfowl like ducks, geese and swans, keep down
populations of amphibians (frogs, toads, and
tadpoles).
- Detritivores/Scavengers
such as turkey vultures, crows and bald eagles, keep our forests,
parks, streets and rivers clean by eating the dead animals they
find. They are the decomposers of the bird world.
- Prey:
Almost all birds can be eaten by other birds or animals. Birds are
an important part of the food chains of many animals including
humans! (When was the last time you had chicken, duck or
goose?)
Other contributions that birds make to the lives
of humans:
- Bird song gives us great pleasure.
- Birds are beautiful to look at.
- Birds inspire humans to write songs, stories
and poetry.
- Birds also inspire humans to draw, paint and
sculpt their likenesses.
Questions
1. After reading the information on niches, name
three (3) niches or contributions that birds make to their ecosystem.
One example is pollination: hummingbirds help pollinate the flowering
plants when they visit for nectar.
2. What other contributions to birds make to our
world?
Return
to Introduction
Physical
Characteristics
Types
of Birds
Migration
and Range
Humans
Helping Birds