Birdie Says Tweet

Five year old Anamika loves playing with the book, Noisy Baby Animals. <img src="https://sradigitallibrary.yolasite.com/resources/book.png" width="300" alt="Noisy Baby Animal Book Image" class="center"> It belonged to her mother Anahita. You press a button, and the animals produce sound -- Dog says woof..woof; lion says roar..roar; the Blue Birdie says tweet..tweet. What a beautiful blue bird with sparkling dark eyes. Anamika can easily imagine the bird flying and singing; she has seen old pictures and movies with birds in them. Alas! birds no longer exits. Anamika longs for a time-machine so that she could go back [[to the year 2019 -> 2019]]. <audio src = "http://www.azfo.org/SoundLibrary/MP3/280_Chickadees_Allies/AZFO_MOCH_1B_Deviche_040806.mp3" autoplay>

The year was 2019, forty-years back! All the heads of the states from around the world were meeting in the United Nations Headquarter in New York City for the Climate Action Summit. Media and news were focussed on that, and no one paid any attention to a small news blurb that came from the Ornithologists. Ornithologists analyzed the data, collected since 1970, and concluded that <a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/09/19/762090471/north-america-has-lost-3-billion-birds-scientists-say">American bird population</a> dwindled by 30%; that is America lost over three billion birds. Anamika decided to hop on her imaginary time-machine to return to 2019. She desperately wanted to save her Blue Bird. She needs you to join her on her adventure. Would you like to accompany her? [[Yes ->Name]] [[No]]

(set: $fname to (prompt: "First name:", "First Name"))Hello $fname! How are you doing today? Thank you for joining Anamika in her adventure. Anamika being a five year old cannot remember how many birds the USA lost between 1970 to 2019. So, can you please help her with the [[answer ->Answer]]?

(set: $fans to (prompt: "Your Answer:", "Your Answer"))(set: $score to 0) (if: $fans is "3 billion" or "over 3 billion")[(set: $score +=1)"Yaay.. $fname! You have the correct answer." <img id="happyemoji" src="https://sradigitallibrary.yolasite.com/resources/happy_emoji.png", width="200", alt="happy emoji", title="Image from Pixabay">](else: )[(set: $score -=1)"Aww.. $fname! Your answer is not correct." <img id="sademoji" src="https://sradigitallibrary.yolasite.com/resources/sad_emoji.png", width="200", alt="sad emoji", title="Image from Pixabay">] The USA lost 3 billion birds between 1970 to 2019, that is, on average, about 60 million birds per year. Birds can die for various reasons but some of the human factors that contribute to their quick demise are habitat loss, scarcity of food and water, too much light and noise, collision with tall buildings, pets and scarcity of nest-building materials. Anamika sets out to tackle each of the problems. Please help her in finding the solution [[keys]]

As you enjoy the sound of the White-Winged Dove, please choose the correct key to learn about the solution. Birds die unnecessarily due to -- [[Too many windows]] -- [[Too few windows]] --[[Quit the game ->Windows]] (set: $playerhaskey to false) <audio src="http://www.azfo.org/SoundLibrary/MP3/180_Doves/AZFO_WWDO_5_deviche_042304.mp3" autoplay>

Anamika is sad that you will not be able to join her. But, she understands your decision. END OF THE GAME. In case you have changed your mind, you can enter the game again by clicking on this blue link: [[Name]]

<img src="https://sradigitallibrary.yolasite.com/resources/Cardinal.png", width="200", alt="bird-image" class="center">(set: $playerhaskey to true) (if: $playerhaskey)[(set: $score +=1)"$fname, you have the correct answer."] The New York City <a href="http://www.nycaudubon.org/">Audobon</a> estimates that between 90,000 and 230,000 birds die in building collisions in NYC. The collisions occur due to all the windows on such buildings. Windows create glare which can blind the birds. Windows also create reflections which the birds mistake as through-way passages. Also, too cleaned or clear windows appear almost invisible to birds. Collision against windows is not only a problem in big cities but also happens in suburbs or country-side. Keeping the blinds down or leaving some dirt on the window-glasses are some of the few steps one can take to prevent such collisions. Recently NYC proposed a bill to make buildings with <a href="https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Proposed-NYC-Bill-Would-Make-New-Buildings-Use-Bird-Friendly-Glass-507944901.html">bird-friendly glass</a> [[Native]]

<img src="https://sradigitallibrary.yolasite.com/resources/Cardinal.png", width="200", alt="bird-image" class="center">(if: $playerhaskey is false)[(set: $score -=1)"$fname, your answer is not correct."] The New York City <a href="http://www.nycaudubon.org/">Audobon</a> estimates that between 90,000 and 230,000 birds die in building collisions in NYC. The collisions occur due to all the windows on such buildings. Windows create glare which can blind the birds. Windows also create reflections which the birds mistake as through-way passages. Also, too cleaned or clear windows appear almost invisible to birds. Collision against windows is not only a problem in big cities but can also happen in suburbs or country-side. Keeping the blinds down or not cleaning the windows to make the glasses appear almost invisible are some of the few steps one can take to prevent such collisions. Recently NYC proposed a bill to make buildings with <a href="https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Proposed-NYC-Bill-Would-Make-New-Buildings-Use-Bird-Friendly-Glass-507944901.html">bird-friendly glass</a> [[Native planting ->Native]]

Thank you for playing the game. END OF THE GAME

<img src="https://sradigitallibrary.yolasite.com/resources/FemaleDowny1.jpg", width="200", alt="bird-image" class="center">(if: $playerhaskey is false)[$fname, you have chosen the wrong answer.(set: $score -=1)] Japanese Maple tree looks beautiful, especially in Fall, with its gorgeous ruby-red leaves. But, non-native plants and trees like Japanese Maple has fewer caterpillar and other insect population; they do not provide fruits, nuts or nectars that native birds and insects thrive on. On the other hand, <a href="https://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/restoration/chestnut/">American Chestnut tree</a> is a source of food (nuts) to wildlives and lumber to humans. <a href="https://www.pnas.org/content/115/45/11549">Researchers</a> from University of Delaware and Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center has shown that yards dominated by non-native plants forced Carolina Chickadees to produce fewer young or forgo reproduction. Create a yard with native plants to help local wildlife. One can also put in non-native plants as many non-native plants like herbs and flowers of vegetable plants help bees, moths, butterflies and wasps, and which in turn becomes food for birds. But, there should always be more native plants. Even if you do not have a yard but you can still help wildlife by creating small gardens in your balcony or on window sills. National Wildlife Foundation (NWF) demonstrates <a href="https://www.nwf.org/en/Magazines/National-Wildlife/1996/Turning-a-Small-Space-Into-a-Big-Attraction-for-Wildlife"> here</a> how you can achieve that. What is a native plant? Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, the largest database of the US Native plants, has the<a href="https://www.wildflower.org/expert/show.php?id=972"> answer</a>. [[Yard]]

<img src="https://sradigitallibrary.yolasite.com/resources/FemaleDowny1.jpg", width="200", alt="bird-image" class="center">(set: $playerhaskey to true) (if: $playerhaskey)[(set: $score +=1)"$fname, you have the correct answer."] Japanese Maple tree looks beautiful, especially in Fall, with its gorgeous ruby-red leaves. But, non-native plants and trees like Japanese Maple has fewer caterpillar and other insect population; they do not provide fruits, nuts or nectars that native birds and insects thrive on. On the other hand, <a href="https://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/restoration/chestnut/">American Chestnut tree</a> is a source of food (nuts) to wildlives and lumber to humans. <a href="https://www.pnas.org/content/115/45/11549">Researchers</a> from University of Delaware and Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center has shown that yards dominated by non-native plants forced Carolina Chickadees to produce fewer young or forgo reproduction. Create a yard with native plants to help local wildlife. One can also put in non-native plants as many non-native plants like herbs and flowers of vegetable plants help bees, moths, butterflies and wasps, and which in turn becomes food for birds. But, there should always be more native plants. Even if you do not have a yard but you can still help wildlife by creating small gardens in your balcony or on window sills. National Wildlife Foundation (NWF) demonstrates <a href="https://www.nwf.org/en/Magazines/National-Wildlife/1996/Turning-a-Small-Space-Into-a-Big-Attraction-for-Wildlife"> here</a> how you can achieve that. What is a native plant? Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, the largest database of the US Native plants, has the<a href="https://www.wildflower.org/expert/show.php?id=972"> answer</a>. [[Yard]]

Which one should you create to help the birds? Enjoying the sound of the ruby-throated hummingbird? [[Clean yard]] [[Yard with too many weeds]] [[Quit the game ->yardquit]] (set: $playerhaskey to false) <audio src="http://www.azfo.org/SoundLibrary/MP3/230_Hummingbirds_Swifts/AZFO_RTHU_CALLS_FEM_1A_deviche_020605.mp3" autoplay>

(set: $playerhaskey to false)Which of the following choices will help birds? The sound of this hairy woodpecker might give you some clue. [[Plant a Japanese Maple tree]] [[Plant an American Chestnut tree]] [[Quit the game ->nativequit]] <audio src="http://www.azfo.org/SoundLibrary/MP3/238_Woodpeckers/AZFO_HAWO_CALLS_2_deviche_061804.mp3" autoplay>

<img src="https://sradigitallibrary.yolasite.com/resources/Dove.png", width="200", alt="bird-image" class="center">(set: $playerhaskey to true)(if: $playerhaskey is true)[$fname, you have chosen the correct answer. (set: $score +=1)] A clean and manicured yard is pleasing to eyes but detrimental for local wildlives. Both birds and insects need nesting materials, places to hide and build their homes. Birds build nests in the cavities of dead trees; such cavities also become breeding ground of insects and which in turn attracts woodpeckers. Dead stems become nesting material for birds. Insects burrow into such stems to survive rough weather. Dead leaves, rotten woods and compost become food and nesting materials for both birds and insects. Seed husks, dead flower-heads with seeds inside, woolly, white threa-like substance left behind seeds of native flowering plants like Butterfly-weed are all used by birds for food or making nests. Fungus and moss grow on logs of wood, and they in turn help birds. For example, native hummingbirds use moss and seed husks of butterfly-weed plants to build their nests. Many native plants of the USA (like mint, coneflower, butterflyweed, sunflowers, Jerusalem Artichoke flowers) spread vigorously through underground rhizomes and tubers, and can become weed in yard. But, these plants are tremendously valuable to wildlives for all the seeds, nectars, protection and materials they provide. It does not mean that you cannot have a clean yard. But, create a balance -- portion of the yard is trimmed and maintained; another portion of the yard is allowed to grow wild and shabby. After all, we would not really like to have a world without birds and butterflies. [[Animals]]

<img src="https://sradigitallibrary.yolasite.com/resources/Dove.png", width="200", alt="bird-image" class="center">(if: $playerhaskey is false)[$fname, you have chosen the wrong answer. (set: $score -=1)] A clean and manicured yard is pleasing to eyes but detrimental for local wildlives. Both birds and insects need nesting materials, places to hide and build their homes. Birds build nests in the cavities of dead trees; such cavities also become breeding ground of insects and which in turn attracts woodpeckers. Dead stems become nesting material for birds. Insects burrow into such stems to survive rough weather. Insects are a major food-source for birds. Dead leaves, rotten woods and compost become food and nesting materials for both birds and insects. Seed husks, dead flower-heads with seeds inside, woolly, white threa-like substance left behind seeds of native flowering plants like Butterfly-weed are all used by birds for food or making nests. Fungus and moss grow on logs of wood, and they in turn help birds. For example, native hummingbirds use moss and seed husks of butterfly-weed plants to build their nests. Many native plants of the USA (like mint, coneflower, butterflyweed, sunflowers, Jerusalem Artichoke flowers) spread vigorously through underground rhizomes and tubers, and can become weed in yard. But, these plants are tremendously valuable to wildlives for all the seeds, nectars, protection and materials they provide. It does not mean that you cannot have a clean yard. But, create a balance -- portion of the yard is trimmed and maintained; another portion of the yard is allowed to grow wild and shabby. After all, we would not really like to have a world without birds and butterflies. [[Animals]]

You are almost there. The end is near! So, sip on your coffee, enjoy the sound of this cactus wren and choose the correct answer and gather more points. Which of the following pets are harmful to birds? [[Dogs]] [[Cats]] [[Quit the game ->animalquit]] (set: $playerhaskey to false) <audio src="http://www.azfo.org/SoundLibrary/MP3/290_Wrens_Kinglets_Gnatcatchers/AZFO_CACW_3_deviche_031002.mp3" autoplay>

<img src="https://sradigitallibrary.yolasite.com/resources/FemaleCardinal1.jpg", width="200", alt="bird-image" class="center">(set: $playerhaskey to true)(if: $playerhaskey)[(set: $score +=1)$fname, good job! you have the correct answer.] This was a tricky but bonus question. Either choice will give you a point because both dogs and cats can be dangerous to birds. Many people say cats are dangerous to birds because pets cats are difficult to be kept indoor all the time. Whereas pet dogs just like to be indoor. American Bird Conservancy and other agencies across the globe consider cats as the Number One threat to birds. It is believed that<a href="https://abcbirds.org/program/cats-indoors/cats-and-birds/"> sixty-three species</a> of birds have become extinct, world-wide, due to introduction of cats, pet or otherwise, in that region. It is highly recommended that cats be kept indoor all the time; that they are let out in the outdoor under the careful supervision of a human; that humans build <a href="https://www.audubon.org/news/cat-suite-pet-owners-build-outdoor-enclosures-their-felines">enclosures</a> so that cats can enjoy outside but do not get to kill birds. This does not mean that cats only kill birds and dogs do not. Dogs also have the same hunting instinct. So, it is imperative to train <a href="https://www.livescience.com/27330-dogs-disrupt-wildlife.html">dogs</a> so that they do not kill birds. [[Last Key]]

You are at the end. One more step to go before you win your reward. So, please help five-year old Anamika as she learns and navigates her way around in building the perfect world for birds. Light or darkness -- which one is more harmful for birds? The sound is that of a red-shouldered hawk. [[Light]] [[Darkness]] [[Quit the game ->lastkeyquit]] (set: $playerhaskey to false) <audio src="http://www.azfo.org/SoundLibrary/MP3/140_Birds_of_Prey/AZFO_RSHA_deviche_031503.mp3" autoplay>

<img src="https://sradigitallibrary.yolasite.com/resources/Crow.JPG" width="300" alt="Raven" class="center"> Title: Birdie Says Tweet Game By: Srabasti Dutta Coding By: Srabasti Dutta Images: Srabasti Dutta Created On: September 28, 2019, my first ever game Genre: Educational, Informative, self-knowledge-test Copyright protected. Please do not use or distribute without permission. You can contact Srabasti by <a href="mailto:srabastidutta@gmail.com">email</a> Acknowledgements: <a href="https://ryanstraight.com/">Professor Ryan Straight</a> and Clifford Blizard for helpful reviews and suggestions. Emojis: <a href="pixabay.com">Pixabay</a> Bird Sounds: <a href="http://www.azfo.org/index.html">Arizona Field Ornithologists</a> Book Cover: Noisy Baby Animals by tiger tales To play the game, click on the BLUE LINKS at the end of each page. If any prompt appears, type in your answer. Click on the choice that you think is correct. You can also click on the other links, that appear throughout the game, to gain more knowledge. Birds chirp and tweet throughout the game. So, please make sure that your computer volume is up. [[Enter ->Anamika]]

(set: $playerhaskey to true)(if: $playerhaskey)[(set: $score += 1)$fname, you have the correct answer.] How light and darkness affects birds is still an ongoing study. One of the theories is that bright light affects <a href="https://www.audubon.org/news/we-finally-know-how-bright-lights-affect-birds-flying-night">migratory birds</a>. Birds travel and maintain their daily routine based on magnetic fields and celestial cues. Too much light can make birds think that a day is dawning, when it is actually night, and lead to fatal <a href="https://www.darksky.org/light-pollution-poses-threat-to-migrating-birds/">consequences</a>. [[The Final Chapter]]

(set: $playerhaskey to false)(if: $playerhaskey is false)[(set: $score -= 1)$fname, you have the wrong answer.] How light and darkness affects birds is still an ongoing study. One of the theories is that bright light affects <a href="https://www.audubon.org/news/we-finally-know-how-bright-lights-affect-birds-flying-night">migratory birds</a>. Birds travel and maintain their daily routine based on magnetic fields and celestial cues. Too much light can make birds think that a day is dawning, when it is actually night, and lead to fatal <a href="https://www.darksky.org/light-pollution-poses-threat-to-migrating-birds/">consequences</a>. [[The Final Chapter]]

<img src="https://sradigitallibrary.yolasite.com/resources/queensnake.jpg", width="200", alt="snake-image" class="center">Anamika thanks you for being such a sincere companion. She learned a lot with your help. She learned that birds are truly unique creatures who keep insect population at bay. Too many insects would wreck havoc on our forests, yards and food-crops. Birds restore nature, prairie, forests and woods by spreading around seeds. They are also great <a href="https://youtu.be/W7QZnwKqopo">dancers</a>, singers, <a href="https://youtu.be/XjAcyTXRunY">mimics</a> and beautiful to look at. So, make your yard and balcony a bird-friendly place. Let a little portion of your yard go wild. Let some leaves, twigs and branches lie around. Dig in in few native plants. Native herbaceous plants can also be grown in pots. Put up a bird-bath. Hang out a bird-feeder. Birds need food and water, especially in rough weather like harsh winter or peak summer. Support organizations that saves/protects birds. With birds will come squirrels, chipmunks, bees, butterflies, groundhog, raccoons, feral cats and even snakes, deers and bears in some places. Bears come to steal from bird-feeders. Cats and snakes come for rodents and birds. Deers also come in search of food. And a whole wildlife/zoo springs up at your backyard. And, the world becomes a little more beautiful place to live in. Your final score is $score. (if: $score is >= 5)[You have achieved a distinguished star.](else-if: $score is >=4 and $score is < 5)[You have achieved a proficient star.](else-if: $score is >=3 and $score is < 4)[You have still some more learning to do. You have achieved a developing star.](else-if: $score is >= 2 and $score is < 3)[Keep on learning. You have achieved a beginner star.](else-if: $score < 1)[Birds can teach you a lot. So, do not give up your flight (towards learning).]

THANK YOU for participating in the game. If you change your mind and want to continue, then please click on the following link: [[keys]]

THANK YOU for participating in the game. If you change your mind and want to continue, then please click on the following link: [[Native]]

THANK YOU for participating in the game. If you change your mind and want to continue, then please click on the following link: [[Yard]]

THANK YOU for participating in the game. If you change your mind and want to continue, then please click on the following link: [[Animals]]

THANK YOU for participating in the game. If you change your mind and want to continue, then please click on the following link: [[Last Key]]