Bird nest expert from Malaysia, Miao Duo Koay, tells Bored Panda, "I became interested in birds because each species has unique habits, skills, and behaviors.

Take swallows, for example. Although swiftlets and swallows are in the same category, they have very different lifestyles. Swiftlets cannot stand on their feet; they can only cling to walls. They have sharp eyes to catch tiny insects quickly during the day but have poor vision at night, so they must return home before dark. Because of this, they have developed a unique skill called the "echolocation system," which allows them to accurately find obstacles by emitting sounds."

In a sense, birds can be deemed dinosaurs since they evolved from them millions of years ago. Knowing this fact, their threatening and intimidating behavior doesn’t seem as out of the blue as it did before. 

They originated from their ancestors in the theropod group, who were small, meat-eating creatures covered in feathers. After drastic environmental changes that wiped out most other species, birds survived due to their small size, adaptability, and ability to fly.

Now researchers are counting more than 11,000 bird species in the world. Currently, the avian that resembles dinosaurs the most is the Southern Cassowary. On average, it weighs about 167 lb, or 76 kg, and reaches 5.9 feet, or 1.8 m, in height. 

The feathered creature can’t fly, but it has strong legs and interesting features that point to its evolutionary history. They’re also one of the most dangerous birds, as their four-inch-long, sharp talons can injure humans if they’re provoked into attack.

Even though it might be difficult to count them all, experts estimate that there are more than 50 billion birds in the world. More interestingly, new species are still being discovered, with the most recent being the Wakatobi Sunbird and Principe Scops Owl.

It’s not without reason that there are so many birds inhabiting our planet. After all, every creature on Earth has a purpose, and they are all interconnected. While we might not notice it, avians play various roles, making them very important for people and the environment. One of them is pest control—birds’ main source of food. Their yearly consumption of 400–500 million tons of insects has proven to have a significant impact on reducing the loss of crops and trees due to infestations.

Another crucial function they perform is spreading seeds. By eating various fruits, they disperse the seeds through their droppings. Because of this, they are able to restore ecosystems that have been destroyed and even carry plants across the sea to new lands. Not only that, but they are also great pollinators, helping us shape the greenery we have around us.

Furthermore, Koay tells us, "They also serve as indicators of environmental health; by observing changes in bird populations, we can understand changes in the ecosystem and potential environmental issues.

Additionally, birds contribute significantly to human culture, recreation, and scientific research. Different bird species have different roles; humans were inspired to invent airplanes by observing birds' habits. Of course, there are still many unique functions in nature that humans have not been able to replicate."

Despite their contribution to our planet, in the last 500 years, avian extinction has been boosted due to human activity. The IUCN Red List has recorded that 159 species of birds are already gone, more than 600 are endangered, and 754 are in vulnerable situations. In 2023 alone, about 10 bird species were declared extinct, really showing the severity of this problem.

Luckily, Koay tells us that "people can take many everyday actions to reduce their environmental impact and help protect birds."

One way to do that is to avoid using chemicals in our yards, such as grass fertilizer and pesticides. If we kill insects, there won’t be anything for them to feed on. Not to mention the deaths caused by poisonous chemicals. Instead of polluting their environment, we should plant native greenery so they have shelter and nourishment widely available.

According to Koay, other initiatives we can implement are:

1. Keep homes and communities clean to avoid litter and plastic pollution, which can harm birds and other wildlife.
2. Plant native plants to provide food and habitat for birds.
3. Provide clean water and bird feeders, especially during winter and drought periods.
4. Protect bird habitats such as wetlands, forests, and grasslands by avoiding development in these areas.
5. Participate in local environmental activities such as tree planting, litter cleanups, and wildlife protection.

It's also important to support or donate to bird conservation communities. You can also share their sightings on platforms like eBird, which helps scientists monitor and protect them. Without this additional information, researchers lack the data to see where and when birds are thriving or declining.