A warbler hops through fallen leaves trailing small rustlings in its wake. The familiar “hoo-hoo" of an owl rings through the dusk air. Birds sing, nest and forage every day in parks, neighborhoods and wilderness areas. As our connection with the natural world becomes increasingly strained, these feathered creatures offer us a powerful, yet peaceful way to reconnect.
Birding is an invitation to slow down and pay attention to our environment. It allows us to tune into rhythms beyond our own and witness our place in the world. More than just identifying birds, birding is an experience to share, learn and deepen our understanding of these winged animals. The activity also reflects a growing movement of advocates who are working to protect the world's avian life. Birding is not only a way to experience wildlife, but also a way to take part in preserving it.
So, what is birding?
Spot that flash of color in the bush? Hear a beautiful melody coming from a nearby tree? At its most basic, birding is looking at and listening to birds with the intention of spotting a specific species. Some birders take their adventures a step further by documenting all of the birds they see, identifying the species they find and sharing their experiences with other birders.
One of the greatest things about birding is how accessible it is! Anyone, anywhere, can partake. All you need is to step outside your home and, perhaps, have in hand a pen and notebook or a notes app on your phone to get started. Even in bustling cities, urban birding is very popular. Rock pigeons, sparrows, peregrine falcons and mallard ducks are examples of birds that thrive in urban environments. In quieter areas with less commotion, more elusive birds can be found with patience and curiosity.
When starting to bird, stay close to home. A backyard, nearby park or doorstep can be great spots for your first birding mission to work on your spotting skills. Early morning is one of the best times, because birds are the most vocal and active as they look for their breakfast and tend to their nests.
The Basics: How to Start Birding
- Looking and Listening: Use your eyes to spot movement in trees and bushes. Be sure to listen to bird calls too, as you will usually hear a bird before you see him.
- Sit tight and stay quiet: When birding, the quieter you are, the more likely you will be able to see natural bird behaviors in the wild. Try to pick a comfortable spot to stand or sit for longer periods of time.
- Use a field Guide or take notes: Tracking the birds you see is an important part of birding, because it allows you to research what you saw after the expedition. Knowing what birds are in your area will allow you to expand your knowledge of birds around you and which species you may see.
- Respect nature and practice ethical birding: Avoid getting too close to nests, stay quiet and stick to trails to help promote stability in your area and bring in more birds!
- Join a group: Joining a birding group is a terrific way to meet people who share a love of nature and birds. Outings offer an opportunity to learn from birders with more experience.
Do I need gear?
You do not need any tools to start your birding journey, but some resources can help improve your birding experience.
- Binoculars: A great pair of binoculars is frequently recommended for birding trips. They can help you spot birds from far away that are difficult to see with the naked eye.
- Field Guide: Field guides offer many tips to help beginners identify species of birds they hear or see.
- A Map or GPS: A map or GPS can help you explore new trails or parks without the risk of getting turned around.
Let Nature Reveal Itself
So, you’ve stepped outside, with notes or gear in hand, and you find yourself a spot to sit. Now, it’s time to quietly wait as nature reveals itself in its own time. Birding requires patience and stillness to truly notice what is around. It sharpens our observation skills as we notice even the smallest movements, sounds and colors.
And there’s nothing like hearing that specific trill or tweet you hoped to hear. Following the music, you hope to catch just a glimpse of the migrant or rare bird you read about. There! It’s truly the most exciting moment... until you learn of another bird you hope to see. Community members who are involved in birding often help track and understand shifts in the ecosystem. Lots of local birding groups will host seasonal migration events, giving people a chance to witness how birds react to changes in the environment throughout the year. The presence — or lack thereof — of birds can offer an insight into the health of the environment. When local bird populations drop or migrants don’t return, it is often a sign something is amiss.
Today, birds face a number of threats: habitat destruction, light pollution, decreases of prey populations due to pesticides and climate change, among others. These issues have correlated with a decreasing bird populations, especially in areas with heavy urban development. Birders frequently notice these reductions and advocate for the birds in their areas. Unfortunately, current policy rollbacks, like the reduction in migratory bird protections, have made it harder for vulnerable species to bounce back and survive. Without firm safeguards in place, the threats birds face multiply.
Birding starts with looking up and listening to your surroundings, but over time it becomes a way to connect with nature, notice patterns in our environment, and understand birds and their behavior. We notice when the swallows arrive early, or the warblers do not return at all. Our connection to these feathered creatures instills a sense of responsibility to protect their homes and support coexistence.
Whether you are scanning the trees in your backyard or travelling to catch a rare migration, every bird you spot is a step towards a more connected world.
Check out our How-To page for more easy-to-follow tips and guides.
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