Bird Week

What Is Bird Week?

The week from May 10 to 16 every year is "Aicho Shukan," or Bird Week, in Japan. It is a week to learn about and spread the importance of nature conservation through wild birds, and it was established in 1950. The "love of birds" in its Japanese name does not mean keeping birds close at hand as pets, but appreciating birds flying freely in nature.

How Bird Week Began

Bird Week grew out of "Bird Day," which began in the United States.

• Bird Day in the United States: It is said to have begun in 1894, when Mr. Babcock, a school superintendent in Oil City, Pennsylvania, came up with "Bird Day" to protect small birds in connection with Arbor Day.
• Bird Day in Japan: In April 1947, at the suggestion of the American ornithologist Dr. Oliver L. Austin, Japan also established "Bird Day," and the first one was held on April 10.
• Why it moved to May: Because Japan stretches far from north to south and snow still remains in northern areas on April 10, the day was moved one month later to May.
• Why it became a week: To reach more people, it became a week from May 10 to 16 starting in 1950.

Decided by the Bird Protection Liaison Council

Bird Week was decided by the Bird Protection Liaison Council, made up of the then Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the Ornithological Society of Japan, the Yamashina Institute for Ornithology, newspapers, broadcasters, and others. The council later became the Japanese Society for Preservation of Birds. The National Wild Bird Protection Gathering, which continues from the "Bird Day Gathering" first held in 1947, is the main event of Bird Week and is now co-hosted with the Ministry of the Environment.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Take a walk in a nearby park or along a river and look for wild birds
• Use bird calls as a clue to look up the names of wild birds
• Join a bird-watching event held in your area
• Talk with your family about how to treat wild birds, such as watching over fledglings instead of picking them up

A Week to Listen to Wild Birds

May is a time when wild birds become more active and we have more chances to see them. Bird Week spreads the idea of protecting not only birds but also the environments where they can live comfortably. On your commute or on a walk, why not look up at the sky and notice the birds around you?