

With nearly 10,000 species flying the friendly skies, birds are one of the world’s most studied animal groups. What causes human interest in certain birds? A new study aims to describe how Americans view the winged creatures around them.
Justin Schuetz, a biologist and researcher in Maine, and Alison Johnston from New York’s Cornell University analyzed 621 bird species. Results are reported in their study “Characterizing the Cultural Niches of North American Birds.”
Humans and birds have lived together since day six of creation. (Genesis 1:20, 26) The study looks at human interest in birds. “Conservation of species is driven largely by human decisions,” Schuetz and Johnston explain, “so it is important to understand how and why people value species differently.”
Schuetz and Johnston reviewed bird-related Google searches from 2008 to 2017. They wanted to learn how popular various birds are. Analysis revealed where each search came from, where each species lives, and how often it’s sighted in different places.
The study divides birds into celebrities, friends/enemies, neighbors, and strangers. Peregrine falcons, ravens, and whooping cranes, are among the celebrity birds. Ruffed grouses and purple martins are friends . . . or enemies. The Abert’s towhee is a neighbor. And the Brewer’s sparrow? A total stranger—to humans, if not to its Creator. (Matthew 10:29)
Birds in the “celebrity” category attract lots of Google attention even though sightings are rare. To reach celebrity status, a bird’s popularity must extend outside its natural habitat range. These birds have “a reputation beyond where they live,” says Schuetz.
Next came the “friends or enemies” category—so named because search results didn’t reveal whether searchers’ feelings about these familiar birds were positive or negative. Friends/enemies get more Google time than expected but mostly in the states where they live.
Neighbor birds weren’t Googled often, and when they were, it was in areas where the birds live. Finally, there were “strangers”—birds with little Google interest anywhere, anytime.
Schuetz and Johnston’s research gives insights into what makes a species popular. Bigger bodies, colorful plumage, and regular birdfeeder visits boosted a bird’s score—as did being a professional sports team mascot. Labels such as “endangered” or “introduced” also affected human interest in a species.
The big bird surprise? “People seem to have an inordinate fascination with owls we couldn’t account for,” Schuetz says.
“It’s great to see how much we know and love some species,” says David Ringer of the National Audubon Society. “I hope that many bird ‘strangers’ will become ‘friends,’ and ‘neighbors’ will turn into ‘celebrities.’”
First comment!
Thats very interesting!
1st comment!!!
Wow! so much to learn about little and big birds!!!
It's so interesting how we
It's so interesting how we view the creatures around (and far away from) us.
I've… actually never heard of
I've… actually never heard of a whooping crane before!!
I've never heard of a
I've never heard of a Whooping crane either! but have you seen those little round tiny birds that hang out around fast food places? Those are adorable!
Thats very interesting Wow!
Thats very interesting Wow! so much to learn about little and big birds!!!
Wow, cool! I thought it was
Wow, cool! I thought it was funny what the article said at the end about people being fascinated by owls, because I really like owls, and a lot of people do seem to really like them, whether they know a lot about them or not.
Wow!!! 10,000 species. That
Wow!!! 10,000 species. That is aloot
i Love *BIRDS*
im very interested in birds and am sort of a bird expert i found this very interesting 0_0
OWEN
also my fav. bird is not an owl but is a (" Vermilion Flycatcher ")
@PHILLIP G
Probably a( House sparrow )
@Owen
The name of your favorite bird sounds cool. I don't remember if I have ever heard of it.
@ Owen
I just looked up a picture of a vermilion flycatcher. They are so pretty!
@Lena
I will have to look it up now that you say that. I never thought to look it up.
@Owen
Just looked it up. It is beautiful. I just love its radiant colors.