A serious bird watcher is typically called a birder or a birdwatcher. Birdwatching is a popular hobby around the world, with millions of people enjoying observing and identifying wild birds in their natural habitats. Those who pursue it more seriously tend to prefer the term “birder” over “birdwatcher”, as it conveys a greater degree of expertise and dedication to the activity.
Birders
Birders are people who make observing, identifying, recording, and studying birds a significant part of their lives. They actively seek out birds in the field, learning about their behavior, migration patterns, and role in ecosystems. Some key characteristics of birders include:
- Spending a lot of time in the field using binoculars, spotting scopes, cameras, and field guides to watch and document birds
- Traveling widely in search of new bird species to add to their “life list” or total species seen
- Joining birdwatching clubs and societies to connect with fellow enthusiasts
- Contributing to citizen science projects that gather data on bird populations and movements
- Investing in equipment and resources to advance their birding skills
- Keeping detailed logs and lists of bird sightings
The term birder is preferred over birdwatcher for these dedicated enthusiasts as it implies a depth of knowledge and serious pursuit of the activity that goes beyond casual birdwatching. Experienced birders have extensive expertise in bird identification, behavior, calls, biology, and distribution.
Becoming a Birder
One does not have to be an expert to start enjoying birdwatching and move towards becoming a birder. Some tips for getting started include:
- Get a field guide for the birds in your area and learn to identify common species
- Invest in binoculars suited for birding to improve your viewing
- Start paying attention to birds around your home and neighborhood
- Join local bird walks or birding groups to learn from more experienced birders
- Learn bird songs and calls to help with identification
- Choose birding hotspots and parks to visit during migration seasons
- Create a life list and log sightings to track your progress over time
With growing knowledge, skill, and experience identifying and observing birds in the wild, one can transition from casual birdwatching to having the expertise and dedication of a true birder.
Birding Equipment
Proper equipment allows birders to better detect, observe, and identify birds. Some essential gear includes:
- Binoculars – Binoculars specifically designed for birding typically have magnification from 8x to 10x and objective lens diameter of at least 42mm. Models with ED glass or phase coated optics provide superior brightness and resolution. Waterproof models are ideal.
- Spotting scopes – Spotting scopes offer greater magnification for distant birds. Zoom eyepieces allow a variable range like 20x-60x magnification. Angled spotting scopes are better for birding than straight models.
- Cameras – DSLR cameras with telephoto lenses are able to capture excellent images and video of birds. Some compact digital cameras and superzoom models also work well.
- Field guides – Books that illustrate birds with information on key identification points, range, behavior, and habitat.
- Notebooks – For recording detailed notes and logs in the field, including date, location, weather, etc.
Additional useful gear includes birding apps, audio recorders, bird feeders and nest boxes to attract birds, and specialized clothing and footwear for field conditions.
Types of Birders
While all birders share a passion for observing wild birds, there are some subdivisions among those who pursue it more seriously:
- Listers – Keep detailed lists of all the species they have seen and aim to see as many as possible. Life lists for total species seen, year lists for a single year, and day lists are common goals.
- Twitchers – Travel long distances quickly to see a rare or unusual bird before it leaves the area. Often involves chasing reports of rare sightings.
- Researchers – Participate in scientific studies and data gathering to better understand birds. May band birds for tracking or census populations.
- Photographers – Specialize in photographing wild birds either for enjoyment or professional reasons. Equipment needs are often different.
- Tour leaders – Lead birdwatching tours and trips for groups interested in seeing regional specialties.
However, most birders have diverse interests and may not neatly fit into one category. Someone may enjoy listing and twitching rare species while also conducting field research and learning photography.
Birding Locations
Productive birding locations include:
- Parks and protected areas with diverse habitats – forests, wetlands, shorelines, etc.
- Nature reserves or ecological hotspots hosting rare or specialty birds
- Bodies of water – lakes, rivers, coasts, pelagic zones
- Migration hotspots where many birds congregate seasonally
- Urban parks and green spaces that attract species adapted to cities
- Known nesting, feeding, roosting, and moulting sites
- Known sites of rare resident birds
Birders carefully research sites, seasons, and habitat types to maximize their likelihood of viewing target species. Timing visits for peak migration or breeding activity is key.
Birding Ethics
Birders should follow some important ethical practices when observing birds, including:
- Respecting protected and private land, obeying rules, and minimizing disturbance
- Using common sense on approaching nests, displaying leks, or rare species
- Staying on trails when possible and wearing muted colors
- Being aware of how numbers of people can stress birds
- Allowing birds space and not using excessive recordings/playback calls
- Promoting conservation and habitat protection
- Keeping rare bird sightings responsible to avoid harming the birds
Following high ethical birding practices helps ensure bird populations are not negatively impacted. Responsible birders act in the interest of birds and their habitats first.
Citizen Science Projects
Birders contribute enormously to citizen science projects that advance avian research and conservation. Some major citizen science programs include:
- Christmas Bird Count – Massive annual winter bird census organized by Audubon.
- Great Backyard Bird Count – Counts birds seen in backyards.
- eBird – Database to log bird sightings generating real-time distribution data.
- NestWatch – Tracks status of breeding birds using nest data.
- Project FeederWatch – Counts birds using feeders in winter.
- Celebrate Urban Birds – Records urban bird populations.
As experts at observing and identifying birds, birders are perfectly suited to contribute to these large-scale research initiatives that aid conservation.
Birding Culture
Birding has an extensive culture and community associated with it. Aspects of birding culture include:
- Organizations like the Audubon Society and local birding clubs
- Conservation campaigns to support threatened species and habitats
- Birding festivals, competitions, conferences, and conventions
- Print and online magazines for bird enthusiasts like BirdWatching, Bird Watcher’s Digest, and Living Bird
- Films, books, and media about birds and birding adventures
- Online birding resources and apps for identification, logging, forums, etc.
- Friendships formed during birding excursions and events
- Travel specifically aimed at bird tours and birdwatching trips
For serious birders, immersion in the birding community and culture is a large part of the appeal beyond just observing birds. The social bonds, shared knowledge, and philosophical outlook help fuel their passion.
Famous Birders
Some notable birders who have made major contributions to ornithology include:
- Roger Tory Peterson (1908-1996) – Influential American ornithologist and author of the first modern field guide.
- John James Audubon (1785-1851) – Franco-American painter known for his detailed bird illustrations.
- James Fisher (1912–1970) – British ornithologist who popularised birdwatching in books and media.
- Phoebe Snetsinger (1931-1999) – Prolific American birder who saw over 8,300 species worldwide.
- David Attenborough (b. 1926) – Renowned English broadcaster and naturalist who introduced birds to global audiences.
- Dickcissel (1824-1900) – American birder who made major advances in bird conservation.
These individuals demonstrated deep passion for birds and many made groundbreaking discoveries advancing scientific knowledge. They serve as inspirations for today’s generation of birders.
Conclusion
Birders are dedicated birdwatching enthusiasts who are knowledgeable about identification and ecology, with many contributing to scientific studies and conservation. Distinct from casual birdwatchers, birders devote substantial time and resources to seeking out birds in the field, listing and documenting their observations. With specialized equipment, ethics, locations, and activities, birders form a community united by a shared love of birds.