Plum-headed parakeet at Shimoga, Karnataka, India
© Hira Punjabi/Alamy
National Bird Day - Head-turner in the treetops
Look up at the skies and experience the magic of birds—it's National Bird Day. Birds come in many shapes and colors, but few are as striking as the plum-headed parakeet, seen in today's image. Native to the Indian subcontinent, these birds are known for their swift, acrobatic flight and distinctive calls that echo through the air. There have been reports of plum-headed parakeets making their way to places like New York, Florida, and even parts of the Middle East.
Today's event was set up to help draw attention to the problems that the bird trade causes. When kept in captivity, birds are deprived of their ability to fly and socialize, which can be distressing to these animals. This activity also has an impact on wild bird populations, with thousands of parrots captured from the wild and sold as pets every year. National Bird Day also encourages the adoption of rescued birds and promotes habitat conservation efforts for wild birds, urging people not to buy wild-caught parrots. On this day, half a million bird lovers engage in activities like birdwatching, studying bird species, and, importantly, adopting birds.