February 19 - Ornithologist's Day in Russia: history and traditions of the holiday

Every year on February 19, Russia celebrates Ornithologist's Day, a professional holiday for specialists who devote their activities to the study of birds and the conservation of their populations. In 2025 it falls on Wednesday. On the history of the profession and the traditions of the celebration read in the material "Izvestia".

Day of the ornithologist - 2025: the history of the establishment of the holiday on February 19

The holiday traces its history back to the creation of the All-Union Ornithological Society at the Academy of Sciences of the USSR. The first founding congress of this organization was held on February 19, 1983 in Moscow. In 1992 it was renamed the Menzbirov Ornithological Society in honor of Academician Mikhail Menzbirov - the founder of the Russian school of bird studies.

People have been observing birds and their migration since ancient times. The ancient Greek thinker Aristotle was one of the first to try to generalize information about birds. However, this science was fully developed during the Renaissance, when systematic works on nature appeared.

The term "ornithology" was first proposed in the XVI century by the Italian naturalist Ulysses Aldrovandus. It comes from the Greek words ornis - bird and logos - science. In 1676, the English naturalist Francis Willoughby and his co-author John Ray published the book "Ornithologiae libri III", in which the first attempt was made to systematize bird species.

In the 18th century, the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus, in his Systema Naturae, developed a method of classifying living organisms, including birds, which became the starting point for modern ornithology.

In the 19th century, the advent of new technologies made it possible to expand knowledge about birds. The English scientist Charles Darwin used observations of birds, including the finches of the Galapagos Islands, to develop his theory of evolution.

Further developments in biology and ecology have allowed ornithology to move beyond the purely systematic study of birds. In the XX century, such areas as ethology (study of bird behavior), ecology and conservation of birds began to develop actively.

In Russia, the formation of a scientific approach to ornithology began in the XVIII century, thanks to scientific expeditions organized by the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences, as well as the works of the German naturalist and naturalist Peter Simon Pallas, who during his travels described many species of birds.

The founder of Russian ornithology is Mikhail Alexandrovich Menzbir, who in the XIX century developed the first scientific classifications of birds in Russia. His fundamental works on the systematics and geography of birds had a great influence on subsequent research. In the USSR, ornithology received a powerful impetus for development thanks to the activities of the All-Union Ornithological Society.

Today in Russia there are many scientific centers and reserves engaged in the study and protection of birds, of which there are about 800 species in our country, of which more than 100 are listed in the Red Book and are threatened with extinction. Migrations, population dynamics, as well as the impact of climate change on these processes are being studied.

Traditions of celebrating the Day of Ornithology in Russia

Ornithologist Day is intended to remind that birds are an indicator of the ecological state of the planet, and the study of their numbers and migration helps to monitor changes in ecosystems and develop measures to protect the environment.

On February 19, Russia holds events aimed at popularizing ornithology and attracting public attention to the problems of bird conservation. On this day scientists and bird lovers hold conferences, seminars and lectures devoted to ornithology, protection of rare and endangered species of birds, as well as preservation of their natural habitats.

Exhibitions of photographs and drawings devoted to birds, excursions and observations of birds in natural conditions are organized. Educational institutions hold thematic lessons and events aimed at increasing the interest of young people in studying ornithology.

Ornithologist's Day 2025: interesting facts about birds

In honor of the holiday "Izvestia" prepared several interesting facts about birds:

Before the advent of modern gas analysis systems, canaries were used in mines as live indicators of danger, as they are extremely sensitive to carbon monoxide. If a bird began to behave erratically or lose consciousness, miners would immediately ascend to the surface. This method saved many lives.

The hummingbird-bee is not only the smallest bird in the world (its length does not exceed 5.7 cm, and its weight is only about 1.6 g), it is the only bird that can move in the air in any direction, including flying backwards. This ability is provided by a special structure of wings and powerful pectoral muscles.

Kiwi is the only bird species that has nostrils. They are located at the tip of the beak and help their owners to find food by sniffing it out in the soil. It is for this reason that the kiwi often snorts to clear dust from its nose.

Among feathered birds, the most talented imitator of speech is considered the gray parrot Jaco. Some individuals are able to memorize and reproduce more than 1.5 thousand words, as well as understand their meaning in certain situations.

Earlier "Izvestia" told how in Russia celebrate Sinichkin Day.