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Birds are a vibrant, vital component of the earth's ecosystem. Humans have long had a special relationship with them, relying on them for food but also keeping them as pets. Their bright plumage has fascinated artists, and birds have been important symbols in literature and even tattoo art for thousands of years - we simply could not do without them.

There are around 10,000 species of bird on the planet today, living everywhere from the deserts of Africa to the icy wastes of the Antarctic. Birds are believed to have evolved from dinosaurs during the Jurassic period, around 150-200 million years ago. The earliest known bird is the Archaeopteryx - fossils of the bird are between 150 and 145 million years old.

Modern birds are winged and warm-blooded. They lay eggs and have feathers, beaks and a light skeleton to assist with flight. However, not all birds can fly: the ostrich runs instead, and penguins prefer to swim. There are also some flightless species on islands throughout the world, such as the kiwi in New Zealand.

Birds are generally social animals, often grouping together in flocks or forming breeding pairs to hatch eggs and care for young. Some species migrate over vast distances, staying together as a flock and flying in formation throughout the journey. Other social behaviour includes communicating with each other through visual signals such as plumage displays, or through calls and songs.

Birds have been very important to humans for centuries, and this relationship has several different levels. Chickens, turkeys and geese (and many other types of poultry and wildfowl) are important as food - chicken is one of the principal sources of animal protein in our diets. A huge farming industry devotes itself to rearing poultry for meat and eggs, but we also rely on birds for feathers and down for our duvets, pillows and clothing.

Closely related to the farming industry, humans have reared certain species of game for hundreds of years. The practice of grouse and pheasant hunting in England, for example, goes back centuries.

It's now seen as a traditional country pursuit with large tracts of moorland given over to raising the birds. The beginning of the shooting season is an important event in the countryside calendar, and this pursuit contributes significantly to rural economies.

There are other aspects of our relationship with our feathered friends that have nothing to do with food. Birds such as parrots, budgies and finches are common pets, popular for their bright colouring and high levels of intelligence compared to other birds. Some parrots can be taught to speak, perform tricks and behave in an almost 'human' way.

Some people use birds for other purposes, either as a hobby or for work. For example, pigeon racing is a popular sport where birds are released at a certain point and must make their way home in the fastest time possible. Another popular pastime is hunting with birds of prey such as falcons and kestrels, although this requires a high level of expertise and specialist equipment, not to mention expensive birds of prey.

Flesh-and-blood animals are important to humans, but birds have also had a significant impact on art and literature throughout human history. Doves are symbolic of peace and feature prominently in the Bible, for example, while a raven is the chilling titular character in Edgar Allen Poe's gothic poem 'The Raven'.

Images of birds can represent freedom and liberty in many cases, but some - like owls - can signify bad luck in certain cultures. Birds are also an important part of heraldry, featuring on coats of arms and flags.

Conservation is important if we are to continue our relationship with birds. Humans have been responsible for the extinction of many species, including the dodo. However, there have also been some success stories - the California condor was brought back from the edge of extinction by a concerted conservation effort.

There are societies all over the world dedicated to preserving and protecting birds and their habitats, but we must all act responsibly towards birds if our special relationship is to continue.

Humans have come to rely on birds as a source of food, but they're also our companions in our homes, our inspiration in art and literature and a pleasure to observe in the world around us.