People who watch birds as a hobby are most commonly referred to as birdwatchers or birders. Some other terms used to describe bird enthusiasts include twitcher, birdspotter, birder, and birding enthusiast.
Birdwatching or birding is a popular hobby around the world that involves observing and identifying wild birds in their natural habitats. Some birdwatchers are casual observers who enjoy watching backyard birds, while others are serious birders who travel widely in search of rare species. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, over 45 million Americans enjoy observing, feeding, and photographing birds.
So what are people who engage in this hobby called? There are a few common terms used:
- Birdwatcher
- Birder
- Twitcher
- Birdspotter
- Birding enthusiast
Let’s take a closer look at each of these terms and what they mean.
Birdwatcher
The term “birdwatcher” is the most general, umbrella term used to describe someone who watches birds recreationally. It can apply to anyone from a casual backyard bird observer to a dedicated life-lister who travels the world adding to their list. The term “birdwatcher” tends to conjure up images of people quietly observing birds through binoculars.
Birder
“Birder” means essentially the same thing as “birdwatcher,” describing someone who watches birds for recreation. However, some people prefer the term “birder” because they feel it makes the hobby sound more serious and scientific.
Twitcher
A “twitcher” is a birdwatcher who will travel long distances quickly to see a rare or unusual bird that has been sighted, often in a remote location. The term refers to the twitchiness and urgency with which a twitcher will immediately rush out to get a glimpse of a bird. Twitchers keep detailed lists of all the species they have viewed and take great pride in their “life lists” of total birds seen.
Birdspotter
A “birdspotter” is very similar to a birdwatcher, observing birds through binoculars or a spotting scope. However, the term “birdspotter” can sometimes imply a more casual hobbyist who does this primarily while remaining stationary in one spot rather than seeking out birds across a region.
Birding Enthusiast
“Birding enthusiast” is a broad term for anyone who is passionate about birdwatching as a hobby, interest, or amateur pursuit. It can range from weekend birders to competitive birders who take part in “Big Day” events to see how many species they can log in 24 hours.
Types of Birdwatching Activities
Within the broader hobby of birdwatching, there are many different types of activities birders enjoy:
- Casual watching: Observing feeders, yards, and local parks for enjoyment
- Listing: Keeping detailed logs and lists of all species sighted
- Twitching: Chasing rare bird sightings
- Competitive birding: Big Day events, contests, year-lists, life-lists
- Banding and research: Capturing birds to band for research
- Photography: Photographing wild birds
- Sound recording: Recording bird calls
- Club participation: Taking part in birding clubs
So whether they are called birdwatchers, birders, twitchers, birding enthusiasts, or any other variation, people who enjoy observing wild birds have a rewarding hobby. There are many ways to enjoy birds, from relaxed backyard viewing to more serious listing, twitching, and competitions. By any name, birdwatching provides enjoyment in the natural world.
Famous Birders
While anyone can be a birdwatcher, some celebrity figures are known in particular for their passion for birds:
- David Attenborough – Renowned English broadcaster and naturalist
- Roger Tory Peterson – Author of the first modern field guide to birds
- James Audubon – Wildlife artist known for Birds of America
- Jared Diamond – Scientist and author of books on ornithology
- John James Audubon – Naturalist, author, artist focused on birds
These individuals and many more have made significant contributions to ornithology, conservation, and the popularization of birdwatching as a hobby.
Getting Started in Birdwatching
Birdwatching is an easily accessible hobby to get started in. Here are some tips for beginners:
- Get a field guide to the birds in your region
- Invest in binoculars – 8x or 10x magnification is good
- Choose a spot to start observing – your backyard, a local park
- Learn about bird behavior, songs, migration patterns
- Join a local birding club or Audubon chapter
- Explore birding hotspots in your area
- Keep a list of species spotted
- Be patient – birding rewards practice
With minimal equipment and a little practice, the world of birding is open to anyone with curiosity about the natural world. It’s an absorbing hobby that can last a lifetime.
Birdwatching Equipment
While starting birdwatching requires little specialty equipment, there are some items that can be useful:
- Binoculars: Allow you to get closeup looks at birds. Look for 8x or 10x magnification models. Roof prism design is best.
- Spotting scope: A telescopic mounted device giving higher magnification for distant birds.
- Field guide: Book containing images and information on local bird species to aid identification.
- Birding app: Apps like Audubon, Merlin Bird ID, and eBird can assist with birding.
- Hiking gear: For exploring parks and natural areas. Backpack, boots, sun protection, water, first aid.
- Nest box: Can be installed near home to attract specific species.
A good pair of binoculars is the most essential item for most birders. Beyond that, other gear can be added over time as interest develops.
Challenges of Birdwatching
While birdwatching appeals to many, there are some challenges it can pose:
- Identifying birds takes patience and practice.
- Seeing rare or elusive species can take time.
- Travel to prime birding areas can be expensive.
- Hiking in rough terrain can be tiring.
- Early mornings required for spotting most birds.
- Can need specialized gear like optics.
- May spend long periods observing with little activity.
- Outdoor conditions like weather are not controllable.
However, most birders feel the rewards outweigh any frustrations. There are always new birds to learn and observe. And a walk outside, even if no new birds are spotted, is still healthy and refreshing.
Birdwatching Ethics
To enjoy birdwatching while being responsible to birds and their environments, some key ethics to keep in mind include:
- Be respectful of natural areas, staying on trails and leaving no trace.
- Avoid stressing or disturbing the birds.
- Do not play bird sounds to attract birds during nesting season.
- Take care not to approach nests or rare species.
- Participate in conservation efforts like surveys.
- Support wildlife organizations and sanctuaries.
- Promote sustainability and habitat protection policies.
Being an ethical birder means enjoying the hobby while also prioritizing the birds’ well-being. This maintains healthy populations.
Evolution of Birdwatching
Birdwatching has evolved significantly over time:
- 1800s – Collecting eggs and specimens for study popular.
- Late 1800s – Field guides created for identification.
- 1900-1930s – Binoculars and spotting scopes introduced.
- 1930s – Organization of birding clubs and societies began.
- 1970s – Rise of life-listing tradition among birders.
- 1980s – Big Day competitive birding events gain popularity.
- 2000s – Online resources like eBird transform sharing of sightings.
- 2010s – Advanced camera equipment enables digiscoping.
Birdwatching started as a scientific endeavor but shifted to become a popular hobby by the 1900s. Technology developments continue to change how birders share information and approach the activity.
Birdwatching Around the World
Some key facts about birdwatching globally:
- Estmated over 60 million birdwatchers worldwide in 2006, likely much higher now.
- Most popular regions include United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Netherlands.
- Significant growth recently in Asian countries like China.
- Worldwide birding tours and events organized for enthusiasts to travel.
- Hot spots include Central America, Ecuador, Peru for tropical species.
- Extensive birding infrastructure in the U.S. with clubs, reserves, over 800 birding trails.
- Significant impact on ecotourism, supporting local economies.
Birdwatching thrives as a global hobby, with enthusiasts traveling worldwide to observe unique regional avifauna. The industry supports conservation efforts and brings tourist revenue when practiced responsibly.
Importance of Citizen Science
Citizen science refers to members of the public helping contribute to scientific knowledge. Birdwatchers play a huge role in citizen science:
- Submit sightings to databases like eBird to track migration, populations.
- Participate in annual Christmas Bird Counts dating back over 100 years.
- Contribute to breeding bird surveys tracking nesting success.
- Report rare and unusual bird sightings to ornithological societies.
- Photograph birds providing verifiable documentation of occurrence.
- Promote conservation of bird habitats.
Without the contributions of amateur birders, much less would be known about avian populations and behavior patterns. Birdwatchers help science.
eBird
eBird is a global online database for birdwatchers to log sightings, providing scientists with real-time data on distribution and trends. Some key facts:
- Launched in 2002 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Audubon.
- Over 100 million bird sightings submitted from every country.
- Used by hundreds of organizations for research and conservation.
- Mobile apps make submitting sightings easy.
- Archives offer historic perspective on bird populations.
eBird demonstrates the huge potential of citizen science and birdwatchers to contribute to ornithology.
Conclusion
Birdwatching is an engaging hobby with many descriptors attached to its enthusiasts, including birdwatcher, birder, twitcher, birding enthusiast, and more. Despite regional differences in terminology, all bird lovers share a common passion. As the hobby has evolved from early scientific origins into a global pastime, technology and travel have changed its shape. But whether one is a serious life-lister or casual feeder watcher, the magic of birds enthralls millions today. If you have an interest in birds, there are many rewarding ways to pursue it as a hobby.
