Saturday, December 8, 2012

Kidzbirds: Book for budding ornithologists

Kidzbirds: Book for budding ornithologists


MUMBAI: Young birding enthusiasts can now recognise and learn about bird species seen around the city. On Friday evening, conservationist and photographer Sunjoy Monga released his new book, Kidzbirds, which lists and identifies over 200 species of birds found in urban areas.
ANSHUMAN POYREKAR/HT Author Sunjoy Monga (left) along with child actor Darsheel Safary at the launch of Monga’s book, Kidzbirds. “The idea for this book, which is [a child’s] stepping stone to ecology, came to me when my daughter was gifted a book on birds by a friend,” said Monga who has authored books on nature such as The Mumbai Nature Guide, City Forest, Young Rangers and Wildlife Reserves of India, among others.
Kidzbirds, specially written and designed for children, talks about all the different kinds of birds and how one can recognise them in urban India. Apart from listing the features by which one can identify the bird, the book gives information on the bird’s food and nesting. There are also tips on how to identify a bird species by its call or song.
“The coloured illustrations and stickers of all the bird species found in urban areas will definitely interest children,” said Monga. However, he said that the book was ‘indulging and interactive’ for both children and adults.
Mumbai is home to around 250 bird species living in diverse urban habitats such as gardens, wetlands, lakes and tree groves.
Child actor Darsheel Safary launched the book at the Bombay Natural History Society building. “Nature is an essential part of life and I am honoured to be part of such an endeavour,” said Safary. He said he will spread the word about the book to his friends at school and requested those at the function to spread awareness on nature conservation.
Many city children have contributed their pictures for the book. “I think painting is the best way to express your feelings,” said Pranay Shah, student of Singapore International School, whose painting features in the book. All those students whose paintings feature in the book were presented with a copy signed by Safary.

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