I have not had any success yet today in posting to the list serv, but I will
try again.
I can agree with most of what Deapesh has to say, but I am not sure, without
clarification, about the idea that confusing a bird is prima facie unethical.
If what is meant is that it requires some justification, then I agree. Then
the question becomes what is sufficient justification.
Clearly, at least to me, there are situations in which confusing a bird is
warranted. Quite a bit of our knowledge of bird song, for example, comes from
studies in which bird songs were played over speakers to see how birds reacted.
Scientists have also tried to teach birds the "wrong" songs, to see how much
is innate and how much learned. See Don Kroodsma's recent book for a
fascinating discussion of some of these things.
The question to me becomes, to what extent, if any, our activities harming the
birds and what is the resultant benefit. It is not just tapes or pishing that
raises this issue. Part of the allure of bird feeding is not just to help the
birds, who for the most part can get along just fine, but to attaract birds to
where we can see them better. In doing so, however, they may be at higher risk
of hawk or cat predation, or running into windows. While I understand and
respect the views of those who believe that playing a tape just to see a bird
is never justified, my own view is that judicious, very limited use of tapes
and pishing, etc., poses no real risk to birds who spend a good part of their
day reacting to the world around them.
In every decision we make about birding, we must make some judgment about the
benefit to us versus the risk to the bird. Anytime we can see a bird through
binoculars, they are almost certainly aware of our presence, and potentially
stressed. Should we only watch birds through scopes, or through blids or the
equivalent, or should we exercise judgment in keeping what seems a reasonable
distance based on the reactions of the birds at hand. Of course there will
always be those who abuse the pribciples, no matter what they are.
Good birding to all.
Eric Jeffrey
Falls Church, VA
-----Original Message-----
From: deapesh misra <deapesh@xxxxxxxxx>
To: va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Thu, 14 Jul 2005 08:28:21 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [va-bird] Re: ethics - phishing and playing cassettes
Hi,
Thanks to Scott Baron, Larry Meade, Eric Jeffrey who
took time to answer my query on pishing and playing
tapes.
I was also made aware of ABA's ethic guidelines. And
subsequent to their replies, we all saw a bunch of
replies specific to playing tapes.
It seems to me 'prima facie', that confusing a bird,
is something which should be considered unethical. We
"exploit" its natural response for a completely
different reason. Surely, readers will agree that this
is exploitation of its natural response.
A google on pishing and having read the replies of the
people who got back to me, makes it clear that there
is an understanding that "excessive" use is unethical
and use during the breeding season. But there is no
strict definition for what is excessive use.
While one site went on to state this:
"A. Be quiet and unobtrusive. Try to observe the birds
so they are unaware of your presence and behave in a
normal manner. Avoid quick movements, discordant
noises, running, consistent chasing of the same bird
and other disruptive activities. The quiet observer
sees more. "
and then went on to state:
"E. Avoid excessive use of tape recorders, squeakers,
and "pishing"; It may reduce their effectiveness and
may disturb birds excessively."
It is no doubt that in all advanced societies, ethics
followed are generally higher than current existing
laws. When these ethical practices reach a high
proportional of acceptance, they become new laws. That
is how I assume, society has progressed.
So although, the current guidelines might state
something, I wish that we on a personal note take a
stance either to follow them or to follow higher
standards.
thanks for replying,
Deapesh.
(Fairfax)
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