Mankind has long associated the concept of freedom with the flights of birds. Literature is filled with innumerable examples symbolised by flying birds, both physical and spiritual.

Many songs, particularly those originating from convicts and slaves, have lyrics extolling the virtues of freedom of flight. In the Australian folk song "Botany Bay" one of the verses reads "If I had the wings of a Turtle Dove, I'd fly on my pinions so high". Another folk song "The Dying Young Stockman" states "If I had the flight of the Bronzewing, far over the plans would I fly".

The association of free spirit with flight largely accounts for the popularity of pigeon keeping throughout the ages, particularly of those species known for various aspects of their flying ability. As the owners watched their birds wheeling above in flock formations, there was a great sense of association with the birds in flight. Falconers also have this close anthropomorphic association with their hawks in flight, man's will apparently controlling the bird and the man's spirit extended vicariously in its flight.

However, an examination of bird ecology indicates that, contrary to popular opinion, birds' freedom to come and go as they wish is largely an illusion. That some species of birds can and do fly great distances is well documented. The Arctic Tern, for example, is known to nest up to 80o North latitude in he Arctic and to migrate south to 70o South latitude in its off season - a latitudinal range of 18,000 kilometres. The wandering Albatross circles around the world above the oceans of the southern hemisphere between 30oand 60 o south latitude. Are birds free, free to come and go as they wish??

An understanding of the anatomy of birds' brains helps considerably in understanding the behaviour of these animals. In comparison with a mammalian brain the bird cortex is small and rudimentary, but there is a relatively enormous development and complex differentiation of the basal ganglia. Research into the functions of the cortex has revealed that this area of the brain largely controls learned behaviour, while the basal ganglia is largely concerned with instinctive, or innate, behaviour. Thus, much of what mammals do is a result of individual experience, whereas most of bird behaviour is innate for the bird species - not learned.

In many respects bird behaviour resembles the cause and effect system of a computer, each specie having its own inbuilt programme. A given stimulus automatically starts up an inner response for all members of the specie. For example, a small red object in the breeding territory of an English Robin automatically starts off an aggression response on the part of the male. The shape and texture of the object need not closely resemble those of a potential rival - the colour of the object is sufficient. Baby ducklings will automatically respond with feat to the silhouette of a bird of prey which is passing over head, even if they have had no prior experience with birds of prey and may behave been raised automatically in an incubator.

The arctic terns previously mentioned all "know" innately how to navigate their 18.000 kilometre journey, by recognition of star constellations. One can only marvel at the process of natural selection over millions of years that have programmed this ability into the heredity of a species.

Bird behaviour is, then, both marvellously complex and simultaneously curiously restricted. Birds are capable of many actions that are almost beyond our understanding and indeed ,the study of birth ethology is a comparatively recent branch of science, which has barely scratched the surface of a vast field.

On the other hand, when birds are faced with new experiences, and surroundings nor normal to their species , they usually react in a stereotyped way which may be inadequate or even dangerous in the new situation. We are all aware of stories of birds consistently beating themselves against windows When a bird is defending its territory against rivals of his own species and he sees his reflection in the window he must automatically "attack" his rival and try and drive him away from his territory. Even if the defending bird constantly injures himself against the glass, the attack response is automatic until the bird is physically unable to respond. A mammal given the same situation soon learns from his mistakes.

Not all birds have an equal lack of learning ability. Parrots, crows, owls, and some other birds appear to be better endowed with more cortex than other birds, and display more ability to learn by their individual experiences. Partly because of this, parrots are among the most popular of pets.

The majority of birds in aviaries regard these as their homes, or territories. This is readily demonstrated in two ways : first if these birds are released or escape, with a very short time they are seen to be trying to get back INTO the aviaries - unless they have inadvertently become lost. Secondly if new birds, which are regarded instinctively as territorial rivals, are introduced into these aviaries ,they are immediately attacked by the older birds.

The key to successful management of birds is an understanding of each species to a given stimulus. Unfortunately, this study is only just beginning relative to the size of the subject.

One often hears expressions of sympathy from the public for "the poor birds that are kept locked up." The general feeling seems to be that all these birds re pining away because they miss their freedom.

ARE they??? It is thought NOT!