Poor birds never get the respect they deserve - save Saturday.

Saturday marks Ithaca's first celebration for International Migratory Bird Day, at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

The festival will flock around all things birds: Guided bird walks, interactive exhibits, children's hands-on activities, multimedia presentations and information on how to reduce the effects global warming has on the feathered friends.

The long migrations of birds will be highlighted with exhibits featuring Cornell's extensive research.

The latest technology will explain how scientists find the endangered Ivory-billed Woodpeckers and other birds.

The children's activities include an obstacle course, book readings, face paintings and a special passport that will guide them through the exhibits.

Because conservationists are concerned about global warming in relation to birds, the theme of the day will be to raise awareness about this topic. It has been noticed that some birds are shifting more northward on their annual migrations as temperatures are getting warmer, while others are heading back to their breeding grounds because they are laying eggs earlier.

Still other birds are at risk of extinction as the timing of the peak food availability of insects is mismatched with the timing of raising their young.

If you go

What: International Migratory Bird Day festival

When: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday

Where: Cornell Lab of

Ornithology, 159 Sapsucker Road, Ithaca

Cost: Free

For details: Visit www.birdday.org