The value of birds for human societies (lato sensu) goes far beyond biological issues and its ecological relevance. Very often birds are used as important tools in environmental education schemes and the closeness of birds to humans has also implications in culture, art creation and the leisure industry (e.g. bird watching).
Olá Joao
I think that urban and periurban avifauna are a valuable resource for education, awareness, monitoring, etc. In fact, they are a good indicator of the attitude of people towards nature: respect to nests, feeding, non trapping or hunting, etc. Although there are better indicators of the state of the environment (for instance, farmbirds are more sensitive to human impact) certain urban species show a decline related to architecture and human attitude.
Glass colisions and other types of mortality are more obvious in towns. Biological invasions also start in towns in most cases and should be stopped at that level, both by control and awareness. Towns are also the place where most people lives and where the relationship between humans and nature is harder and more shocking. Towns are then, places where most people could be approached for awareness campaigns with less economical impact. There you can also show people that environment is not something apart and strange, but close and familiar.
downsizing of common species may be an argument to mobilize the public. When we speak of species he knows well such as the Barn Swallow has decreased by 34% in 20 years, it involves more public. It is the interest of the monitoring programs of common birds.
Many thanks Jorge and Alain for your valuable contributions.
Cheers,
JE
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