Ah yes, I faced this opening for the first time a few days ago, and lost.  Don't underestimate this opening because of it leaving the diagonal unprotected.  All that has to be done is 2.Nf3 and the king is pretty safe in my opinion, that's what my opponent did.

Had to look at this one since Takahe is an endangered bird (only 200 left in world) but on the whole I think too scary for a beginner like me

I sometimes like to play this opening, and only once during rated play lately. Yet, for those chess players who dare to throw caution to the winds, or surprize themselves with personal adventure, and go where they have never gone before in chess tactics, this opening could fly you away.

wow one move and all sort of people get all smart

Why haven't the mods/ administrators taken out bach11's "comment"?

I think 1.f4 isnt as bad as a lot of people say.

I think 1.e4 or 1.d4 are better, but 1.f4 is just a normal move

"Bird Land" is an awesome song, too.

Due to the level of contempt displayed by several of you posters, I can only assume that you have had the misfortune of loosing a few games to a much lower rated opponent because you underestimated the potency of "Bird Land".   If you have not... look me up I am here most nights from 10 til 2 est.  I love a challenge don't you?

If your opponent plays the bird opening, try to attack him using the From Gambit:

1.f4 e5

2.fxe5 d6

3.fxd6 Bxd6

This is a nice way to wipe out the beginners, by making a good pawn sacrifise and imediatly attcacking the weak kingside.It really works, give it a try!

Traps that it has:

4.Nc3 Qh4+

5.g3 Qxg3+

6.hxg3 Bxg3-checkmate-

4.Nf3 Nf6

5.Nc3 Ng4

6.h3 Bg3-checkmate-

And much more that you will experience though your game-have fun playing it!

I've been using the Bird opening a lot lately ( I only just found out what it was called) and have found it very effective. My rating usually hovers around 1150, but am now at 1296 since flipping the Bird at my opponents. Not sure why, maybe because it is unusual and it upsets their opening play? Whatever, I'll keep using it 'cause it works for me!

I have to say that this opening is dangerous for white, but if he/she knows how to play this opening very well, it can be dangerous for black...

1.f4 is semilar to larsen actack it looks strong play but it cause closed opening. and soon black chances increases to equalize of it. i dont like much....because for white must prettier to chose open openning and initiate inbalance position with good positioning....and strongest will prevail. 

I got 100 more rating while using this opening.  There's a very good lesson in the Chess Mentor on this site that explains how to play Bird's opening.  I was laughing when I first read the other people's comments - I thought the same thing; that it was a crappy opening.  The biggest problem with it, is that you cannot play this like a conventional opening.  There are a whole slew of pitfalls associated with it, not the least of which is the trap, 1.f4 e5 2.fxe5 d6 3.exd6 Bxd6 4.Nf3 Bg4 5.h3 Bg3#

The secret is to fianchetto the queen's bishop and leave the b-knight at home until later on.

Ideal play:

http://www.chess.com/explorer/index.html?id=1735318&ply=5&black=0

The Mason Attack is a nice anti-computer line in this opening, used by E. F. Pecci vs. Fritz:

http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessplayer?pid=105395

not a verry wise opening... this will lead to black targeting the opened diagonal side of the king. The target would create a very strong positional offense for black as the game progress!

if you play black, and u wanted to open with the english opening, but if white puts the queens pawn up 2, use bird

 This is an opening worth using a book about it as toilet paper.

yep! rarly done on someone, unless their a fool!  

1.f3.e6 2.g4.Qd8-h4++

Terrible. Anyone heard of the fools mate?

kinda looks like a blunder, you know? opening the king up for attack on an unprotected diagonal?