Four Reasons to Become a Better Birder

By Harper Johnston

Did you go outside today or look out a window? If so, you are likely a birdwatcher already. You may not always notice them, but birds are everywhere. People engage with birds at varying levels. Some make careers out of birding while others partake more recreationally. Regardless of how they participate, most people birdwatch to some extent. Nearly 47 million Americans consider themselves birdwatchers. As a hobby, birding offers many advantages. Here are four reasons why you should become a better birder.

A Hobby For Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime

No matter who you are, where you live, or what your schedule and budget look like, birding is a hobby at your fingertips.

Bridge, an 83-year-old member of the Maryland Ornithological Society, started birdwatching as a teenager and never stopped. Over the years, Bridge’s level of birding engagement changed as he did. He found the versatility of birding and its customizable nature appealing. “I think what’s really interesting is that you can be a birder at almost an infinite number of levels,” said Bridge.

Across the globe, there are over 50 million wild birds belonging to roughly 18,000 distinct species. Naturally, some birds might bore you. However, birds make up the most diverse group of land vertebrates on Earth, so your chances of finding at least a couple worth watching are very high.

President and founder of Birders of American University, Dante Arminio, created the club to find other young bird enthusiasts. At a price fit for student budgets – no price at all – club members gather for bird walks, movie viewings, and other activities. Arminio sees birding as a hobby for people of all ages that does not have to drain one’s bank account. “I think anyone can find something,” he said. “It’s just a good excuse to go outside.”

Connecting With Nature Is Healing

The United Nations estimated that by 2050, 68% of the world’s population will live in urban areas. Luckily, diverse populations of birds can be found in both rural and urban environments. Joe Corcoran, president of the Baltimore Bird Club, said 60% of the club’s bird walks are inside the city. “You wouldn’t believe that there’s birds. I didn’t even believe it myself until I saw how many different birds there are downtown if you look,” said Corcoran.

For him, birding is “one of the best places that you can just get away from the bustle and the stress of life.” While birding, Corcoran focuses on sounds, movements, and other intricacies that help him identify birds. “All your cares and worries go into the background. You are actually in the moment and really relaxing into it,” he said.

Birds are most people’s main contact with wildlife, and connecting with nature has various health benefits. Birdwatching can reduce stress hormones, blood pressure, and heart rate while increasing cognitive function. Maria-Elena Montero, president of the DC Bird Alliance, said birding is a great excuse to get into nature, and its healing power is unmatched. “There’s nothing that can substitute for just being outside,” she said.

Learn Something New Every Day

“Every day I go outside, it’s like I’m going outside for the first time,” said Montero. Birding is the act of appreciating and observing birds, and there will always be new birds, calls, behaviors, or interactions to discover. Arminio is drawn to birding largely due to the novelty each outing holds. “I think that’s the fun part of going birdwatching,” he said. “Chances are you’re going to see something new that is not familiar to you.”

After over 60 years of birding, Bridge still learns and identifies birds every chance. “I try to identify every bird that I see, even when I’m driving, which maybe isn’t a good thing,” said Bridge.

Montero enjoys watching birds and other people experiencing them, especially for the first time. On a bird walk, Montero watched attendees witness a perched scarlet tanager, posing like a brightly painted decoy. “Those moments, I can’t buy those, and I love them,” said Montero. “I love hearing people’s ‘Ooo’s. And you know there are a couple birders that were made that day.”

Birders Could Be Your Best Friends

Corcoran, who recently turned 70, said he did not have as many friends before he got into birding. “They’re my best friends now,” he said. “Whenever I go birding around the city, there’s somebody I know.”

Bridge also sees birding as a way to connect with people, something everybody needs. Humans are social organisms. Some people play bridge, and some people bowl or play poker or whatever, or you can go birding,” he said. Social interaction is a fundamental human need and plays a vital role in maintaining one’s mental well-being. Montero said she believes in “the power of just being outdoors in community with each other, no matter what you’re doing.”

Arminio created a birdwatching club to find a community of diverse individuals who could come together and share their passion for birds. For Arminio, there are many solid reasons why someone should start birding in their spare time; human connection is a big one. “I think we all sort of crave socialization and having good friends by our side,” he said. “If there’s no other draw that appeals to you, then I think that should.”