Bird watching, also known as birding, is a popular hobby around the world. It involves observing wild birds in their natural habitats and identifying different species of birds. While many people enjoy birding as an amateur pastime, some take their passion for birding to the professional level and become professional bird watchers.
Who is a Professional Bird Watcher?
A professional bird watcher, often called a professional ornithologist, is someone who studies, observes, and records wild birds as a full-time occupation. Professional birders have an extensive knowledge of avian species, behavior, migration patterns, habitats, and conservation. Their work involves a combination of fieldwork to observe birds in the wild and research to expand scientific knowledge about birds.
Here are some key qualities and capabilities of professional bird watchers:
- Expertise in identifying a wide variety of bird species by sight and sound
- Ability to patiently observe bird behaviors and take detailed field notes
- Physical capability to access remote birding locations and endure outdoor conditions
- Knowledge of ornithology and avian ecology
- Passion for conserving birds and their natural habitats
- Photography and scientific illustration skills to document bird findings
- Attention to detail and analytical thinking skills
- Computer literacy to access birding databases and compile research
- Communication skills to share birding knowledge through writing, public speaking, and mentoring
Education and Training of Bird Watchers
To become a professional bird watcher requires dedication and rigorous education and training. Here are some common steps to this career path:
- Earn a bachelor’s degree in a field like zoology, ecology, or biology with coursework in ornithology.
- Complete an internship or volunteer position at a wildlife refuge, aviary, or bird observatory.
- Take training courses in field research methods, bird banding techniques, and avian survey protocols.
- Build bird identification skills through amateur birding, museum collection work, and field mentoring.
- Gain proficiency in skills like photography, sound recording, GPS operation, and scientific writing.
- Obtain field experience via graduate research, field technician jobs, expedition leading, or consulting work.
- Consider earning a master’s degree or PhD in ornithology or ecology to advance to higher-level professional roles.
Day-to-Day Work
Professional bird watchers have diverse work activities, but many spend their days doing fieldwork observing birds. Here are some examples of daily tasks:
- Wake up before dawn to get an early start on birding locations.
- Use binoculars and cameras to observe and document bird behaviors, numbers, and diversity.
- Identify bird species by sight and by listening for unique songs and calls.
- Keep detailed field notes on weather conditions, bird activities, locations, and timestamps.
- Capture bird sounds and calls using audio recorders and parabolic microphones.
- Band birds to attach identification tags and take measurements.
- Collect data samples like feathers, blood samples, or ectoparasites.
- Enter bird survey findings into online databases and portals.
- Write and submit scientific reports summarizing research findings.
Professional birders may also spend time in labs analyzing data, writing journal articles, photographing specimens, mentoring students, and giving public lectures on ornithology topics.
Work Settings
There are diverse work settings and career paths for professional birders depending on their roles and research interests. Some common workplaces include:
- Universities – Conduct academic research, teach ornithology, and mentor graduate students.
- Government Agencies – Do population surveys, conduct endangered species research, and inform conservation policies for public lands.
- Nonprofit Conservation Groups – Lead bird research and education initiatives for wildlife and habitat preservation.
- Zoos and Aviaries – Study captive bird behaviors, assist breeding programs, and educate the public.
- Field Research Stations – Travel to remote areas to collect data on birds in their natural environments.
- Private Consulting Firms – Conduct environmental impact surveys regarding birds and their ecosystems.
Common Specializations
There are a few specialty areas that professional birders tend to focus their work and research on. Some key specializations include:
- Ornithologist – Studies all aspects of birds from evolution and genetics to behavior, populations, and habitats.
- Avian Ecologist – Focuses specifically on bird interactions with ecosystems, food webs, and environmental factors.
- Conservation Biologist – Devises conservation plans and habitat management to preserve threatened bird species.
- Avian Physiologist – Researches intricate details of bird respiratory and circulatory function, flight mechanics, navigation, and more.
- Ethologist – Observes and analyzes bird behaviors and social interactions.
- Taxonomist – Classifies and names new bird species discovered based on evolutionary relationships.
Challenges and Rewards
Pursuing ornithology as a career comes with challenges but also many rewards for passionate bird enthusiasts. Here are some pros and cons to weigh:
Challenges:
- Irregular working hours – Very early mornings and late nights doing fieldwork.
- Physically demanding – Hiking, climbing, carrying heavy gear.
- Isolation – Significant time spent in remote areas away from family/friends.
- Low wages – Most jobs are with nonprofits or research stations.
- Competitive field – Few paid job openings compared to biology grads.
- High educational demands – Master’s or PhD often required.
Rewards:
- Direct contact with nature and birds.
- Opportunities to travel and explore.
- Contribution to science and conservation.
- Outdoor physical activity.
- Freedom and independence.
- Sharing knowledge and mentoring others.
Becoming a Professional Bird Watcher
If you are interested in transitioning from amateur birding to a professional career, here are some tips:
- Volunteer at local birding organizations to gain experience.
- Improve your bird ID skills using field guidebooks and audio recordings.
- Consider a formal ornithology course at a community college.
- Attend birding festivals and conventions to network and learn.
- Purchase quality optics like binoculars and spotting scopes.
- Build wildlife photography skills to document bird behaviors.
- Submit bird sightings to online databases like eBird to contribute data.
- Consider a biology degree followed by graduate study in ornithology.
With passion and persistence, an amateur interest in birding can evolve into an exciting and fulfilling career as a professional bird watcher and conservationist.
Conclusion
Professional bird watchers require extensive expertise, but their work contributes tremendous value to scientific research and avian conservation. Their patient and diligent field studies expand our understanding of birds, document new species, and provide data to help preserve bird populations and habitats. While it demands major dedication and education, a career in ornithology offers unique rewards and the chance to make a difference for birds worldwide.