Birdwatching, or birding, is a hobby that involves observing and identifying birds in their natural habitats. It can be a rewarding and relaxing way to connect with nature, learn new things, and meet new people. To start birdwatching, all you need is a pair of binoculars, a field guide or an app, and a curiosity for birds. You can watch birds anywhere and anytime, and discover the beauty and diversity of birdlife.
Birdwatching
as a hobby
AKA: Birding • Ornithology
Reviewed by:
“Why do you do this?” This is why:
The 7 Pleasures of Birding, by Christian Cooper, host of Extraordinary Birder and author of Better Living Through Birding
- The beauty of the birds
- The joy of being in a natural setting
- The pleasure of scientific discovery
- The joy of collecting
- The pleasures of hunting, without the bloodshed
- The joy of puzzle solving
- The Unicorn Effect — You know there’s a bird out there because you’ve seen pictures of it, read about it in books, seen it in the field guide, and one day you’re out there and there it is in real life as if a mythological creature has come to life.
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The page is curated to inspire and help you get started with birdwatching as a hobby.
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We strive for accuracy, but errors may occur. Always use your judgment. Refer to the provided resources for further research.
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Podcasts
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I think the most important quality in a birdwatcher is a willingness to stand quietly and see what comes. Our everyday lives obscure a truth about existence – that at the heart of everything there lies a stillness and a light.
Lynn Thomson, author of Birding with Yeats: A Mother’s Memoir
Terms
Basic lingo for orientation.
Identification Terms
- Call: A vocalization made by birds, often used for communication.
- Field Mark: Distinctive features that help identify a bird species.
- Flock: A group of birds that travel or feed together.
- Morph: Variations in color or pattern within a species.
- Sexual Dimorphism: Differences in appearance between male and female birds.
Birdwatching Activities
- Big Year: A personal challenge to see as many bird species as possible within a year.
- Bird Count: An organized event where birdwatchers tally the number of birds observed in a specific area over a set period. These counts often involve citizen science, where volunteers contribute their observations to help monitor bird populations and inform conservation efforts.
- Dip: The experience of failing to see a bird that one was trying to observe.
- Lifer: A bird species that a birdwatcher sees for the first time.
- Listing: The act of recording each bird species observed on personal or shared checklists, often to increase one’s life list or achieve milestones in local, regional, or global bird sighting challenges. Listing is central to competitive birdwatching and supports conservation and citizen science.
- Mega: A term used to describe an exceptionally rare bird sighting.
- Patch: A specific local area where a birdwatcher regularly observes birds.
- Twitching: The act of chasing after a rare bird sighting, often travelling significant distances to see it.
More terms: Bird Academy’s A-to-Z Glossary of Bird Terms | Bird Academy • The Cornell Lab, The Audubon Dictionary For Birders | Audubon.
Term Videos
First Steps
How to break the ice and make a start. One Aha! moment is all you need.
- Get to know All About Birds: an online guide to birds and birdwatching created by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. It is a free, quality, and extensive resource.
- Watch live bird cams: A virtual window into the natural world of birds.
- Read the All About Birds guide on How to Choose the Right Kind of Bird Feeder and buy a bird feeder.
- Download the Merlin Bird ID app by Cornell Lab, to identify the birds you see or hear.
- Buy your first binocular. Consider NIKON PROSTAFF P3 10×42, the cheapest one recommended by All About Birds.
- Use the Birda app, or other platforms, to find birding locations near you. You can also visit a nearby park or nature reserve.
- Take a beginner’s course by The Cornell Lab Bird Academy or read a book about birding basics.
- Search for birdwatching events near you.
- From there, the sky is the limit…
First Steps Videos
Birdwatching can help you learn more about your natural environment. Birdwatching can give you a reason to explore the world and discover new places and species. You can also learn about bird ecology, behavior, and conservation issues. Birdwatching can also inspire you to take action to protect birds and their habitats.
Products
Essentials to have.
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How-Tos
Step-by-step tutorials.
- Binoculars and Beyond: Nine Tips for Beginning Birdwatchers | All About Birds
- Birding 101: Your guide to getting started in bird watching : Life Kit : NPR
- Feeding Birds: a Quick Guide to Seed Types | All About Birds
- How to become a birder: 10 easy ways to start this life-changing hobby | Birdwatching | The Guardian
- How to Bird Watch (with Pictures) – wikiHow
- How to Choose the Right Kind of Bird Feeder | All About Birds
- How to Start Birding | Audubon
- How To Start Birdwatching For Beginners | Birda
Bird Guides
How-To Videos
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More than simple pleasure and ticking a species off a list, it’s a hobby that dwells on the joy of being alive.
Georgia Angus
Books
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Articles
Further reading.
Benefits of Birdwatching
- Bird and birdsong encounters improve mental health, study finds | Birds | The Guardian
- Birding is a heightened state with a strange loss of self. Once you start, it’s hard to stop | Debbie Lustig | The Guardian
- Birding Your Way to Well-Being | Psychology Today
- Birdwatching changes the way you look at the world – it truly is the gateway drug to environmental awareness | Georgia Angus | The Guardian
- Birdwatching Has Big Mental Health Benefits. How to Start | Time
- Birdwatching linked to increased psychological well-being on college campuses: A pilot-scale experimental study – ScienceDirect
- More Well-Being Lessons From Birding | Psychology Today
Birdwatching and Citizen Science
audio and Video Articles
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Websites
Go-tos for information.
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Movies & TV
Nothing like a good film or a show for inspiration.
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Birdwatching can be done anywhere and anytime. Birds are everywhere, from urban parks to remote forests. You don’t need expensive equipment or travel far to enjoy birdwatching. You can start from your backyard or balcony, or visit local hotspots or nature reserves. You can also watch birds in different seasons and times of the day, and see how they change.
FAQS
Get a clue.
Q: How can I find a good birding place near me?
A: Many websites feature indexes and interactive maps for finding birding places near you.
Q: Can I use a bird feeder if I don’t have a garden?
A: Yes, you can use a window feeder or a wall-mounted feeder. Another option is asking permission to place a bird feeder with a camera in a communal area.
Q: How can I attract more birds to my backyard or balcony?
A: You can attract more birds to your backyard or balcony by providing them with food, water, shelter, and nesting sites. You can use feeders, birdbaths, plants, nest boxes, and other features to create a bird-friendly habitat.
Q: What foods are safe and healthy for birds?
A: While it can depend on the bird species, seeds (such as sunflower and safflower), unsalted nuts (such as shelled peanuts), suet cakes, and fruits that birds naturally eat in your area are generally safe and healthy.
You can also purchase wild bird food mixes designed to meet their nutritional needs.
Avoid “people food”: Bread, chips, chocolate and other processed foods can be unhealthy for birds. Also avoid avocado, which contains persin that is harmful to many bird species.
More FAQs: FAQs & Common Problems | All About Birds, Frequently Asked Questions About Birds | Audubon.
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Apps
Smart start.
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Courses
Get smart.
Video courses and trailers
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Community & Near You
Get together.
Birding Sites
- Audubon Near You | Audubon
- Bird Watching Areas Near You | Google Maps
- Birding Sites – BirdGuides
- BirdLife Data Zone
- Find a birdingplace | Birdingplaces
Birding Events and Groups
- A place for birders to be | Reddit
- Birding Festivals and Events | All About Birds
- Birdwatching Events Near You
- Birdwatching groups | Meetup
- Discover Audubon Events | Audubon
Community Science
Related Videos
Birds will give you a window, if you allow them. They will show you secrets from another world – fresh vision that, though it is avian, can accompany you home and alter your life. They will do this for you even if you don’t know their names – though such knowing is a thoughtful gesture. They will do this for you if you watch them.
Lyanda Lynn Haupt
Tips
Additional advice for beginners.
- Get a good pair of binoculars and a field guide to help you identify the birds you see.
- Start with common and familiar birds in your backyard, park, or neighborhood, and gradually expand your range and diversity of habitats.
- Be respectful of the birds and their environment. Follow the birdwatcher’s code of conduct and avoid disturbing or harming the birds or their habitats.
Video Tips
Research shows birdwatching reduces psychological distress and may increase psychological well-being.
Birdwatching linked to increased psychological well-being on college campuses: A pilot-scale experimental study
Additional Information
Hobby attributes.
| Attributes | Value |
|---|---|
| Activities | Collecting, Exercising, Helping, Learning, Observing, Relaxing, Traveling, Volunteering |
| Fields | Animals, Education, Environment, Plants, Science and Technology, Sports, Sustainability |
| Locations | Abroad, Anywhere, Countryside, Forest, Garden, Lake, Nature, Outdoor, Park |
| Participants | |
| Skills | Active Listening, Adaptability, Attention to Detail, Concentration, General Knowledge, Mindfulness, Patience, Perseverance, Physical Endurance, Planning, Resourcefulness |
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