Birdwatching
Birdwatching, also known as "birding," is a recreational activity that involves observing birds in their natural habitats. While it has gained widespread popularity as a leisure pursuit, its origins are deeply rooted in the scientific study of avian life, known as ornithology. Historical references to bird behavior can be found in ancient texts from cultures such as China and Egypt, indicating a long-standing human connection to birds. The modern concept of birdwatching began to take shape in the 18th century, influenced by British naturalists like Gilbert White, who emphasized observation without harming the birds.
Today, birdwatching encompasses a diverse community of enthusiasts, including amateur photographers and ecotourists, who contribute to our understanding of bird populations and migratory patterns. Technology has significantly transformed the hobby, enabling participants to share sightings and photographs online, as well as access digital tools for bird identification. Guided birdwatching tours are also increasingly popular, often led by knowledgeable professionals. Organizations and resources are available for those interested in deepening their knowledge or potentially pursuing a career in ornithology or ecotourism. Overall, birdwatching is not only an enjoyable pastime but also an important component of wildlife conservation and ecological research.
Subject Terms
Birdwatching
History
Bird watching, or "birding," is a hobby that involves observing birds in their natural environments. Today, bird watching is a popular leisure industry, but it shares its roots with the scientific study of birds.
Descriptions of birds and their habits can be found in ancient Chinese and Egyptian texts. Tribal cultures used clues from avian behavior to help avoid predators and find food. The scientific study of birds (ornithology and avian biology) began in ancient Greece and China. Aristotle produced one of the first texts on bird behavior in the fourth century BCE.
From the first century CE through the late eighteenth century, bird watching was largely practiced by scientists and naturalists. Paintings and drawings of birds became an essential component in documenting the wildlife of any region. The pioneering work of Carolus Linnaeus in the 1700s marked the beginning of modern ornithology.
Today, most people associate bird watching with the leisure activity popularized in the eighteenth century by British naturalists. In 1789, English clergyman Gilbert White published The Natural History of Selborne, considered the first modern bird watching manual. White was one of the first hobbyists to observe birds without killing or collecting specimens. In the years that followed, bird watching diverged from ornithology and became popular with European aristocrats and amateur naturalists.
The popularity of bird watching continued to grow, particularly in England, which boasts the largest number of amateur bird watchers. With the advent of photography, bird watchers began to collect photos of avian specimens. Amateur photographers also contribute many photographs to scientific institutions.
As bird watching evolved from an esoteric hobby to an international obsession, hundreds of magazines, books, and other resources were dedicated to the subject. Bird watchers have become the cornerstone of the binocular manufacturing industry, and an important part of the ecotourism industry.
Specialized bird-watching tours are now given in countries across the globe, and the internet has transformed the bird-watching community into an international network. Amateur bird watchers are also important to the scientific community, as they often assist in field studies. Technological advancements such as digital cameras and computerized bird-identification systems have contributed to the growth of the community of avian enthusiasts.
Trends
Trends in bird watching follow the introduction of new technology. Many hobbyists now contribute to internet databases that catalogue species encounters around the world. Records of species distribution help ecologists study migratory patterns and species distribution.
Digital photography has greatly increased the number of amateur bird photographers. Online file sharing is allowing birding organizations to create interactive, web-based identification programs. In addition, online discussion forums have created a new level of integration for the birding community, and provide beginning bird watchers with access to hints and tips from veteran hobbyists. As of 2019, one of the most popular websites for collecting data in the birding community was eBird, which also provides a mobile application and allows users to enter data including photos and audio recordings, access maps of species distribution, and receive sighting alerts. For amateur bird watchers, apps are being developed to help individuals identify species using recognition software.
Bird-watching tours have been growing in popularity with the global increase in ecotourism. Many birding tours are guided by professional ornithologists or expert bird watchers. Guided tours are an excellent way to find species that are otherwise inaccessible to the casual hobbyist.
As of 2019, a focus on bird watching in cities, known as urban birding, had increased in popularity.
Bird Watching for Fun vs. Profit
The advanced bird watcher might consider turning his or her hobby into a career by taking part in scientific investigation or working in the ecotourism industry.
Many professional ornithologists and avian biologists are also avid bird watchers, and the science and hobby of observing birds share similar methods. Advanced hobbyists might consider volunteering for studies conducted by wildlife organizations or universities to learn more about ornithology.
Some hobbyists become guides for bird-watching tours or nature expeditions. Field guides need to have detailed knowledge of ecology. The hobbyist looking to become a guide would be advised to take educational seminars from universities or naturalist organizations.
Learning More
Organizations
American Birding Association <http://www.americanbirding.org/>
American Ornithological Society <http://www.americanornithology.org/>
Birdlife International <http://www.birdlife.org/>
National Audubon Society <http://www.audubon.org/>
World Wildlife Fund <http://www.worldwildlife.org>
Books
Erlich, Paul et al. The Birders Handbook: A Field Guide to the Natural History of North American Birds. Fireside, 1998.
Moss, Stephen. A Bird in the Bush: A Social History of Birdwatching. Aurum Press, 2005.
Sibley, David Allen. Sibley's Birding Basics. Knopf Press, 2002.
Sibley, David A. and Rick Ceck. The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America. Knopf Press, 2003.
Stokes, Donald. A Guide to Bird Behavior. Little Brown and Co., 1989.