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AnimalsPeople

by Alexandra Mansilla

Birdwatchers: Why Do People Passionately Observe Birds?

12 Jun 2025

Photo: Sandra Seitamaa

I only discovered birdwatchers fairly recently, but suddenly they started popping up everywhere in my life. First, it was a TV series called The Residence — a classic murder-in-the-White-House plot: someone is dead, everyone is a suspect, and nobody can leave until the detective cracks the case. But there was a twist: the detective didn’t just interview people and draw conclusions — she also watched birds. She had her own binoculars and a little notebook, where she wrote down every new bird she spotted.
Then, just a couple of days later — over the weekend — I went out to the countryside with some friends. Out of nowhere, one of them pulled binoculars (and, as it turned out, a notebook too) out of the trunk. I asked, “What for?” He said, “To watch birds.” I can’t actually remember if we spotted any that day, but I do remember him telling me how, when he lived in Istanbul, he used to sit on a bench and watch the pigeons. Just sitting there, noticing their secret little lives, their relationships, their rituals — and, every so often, a full-on bird drama unfolding right in front of him.
That was my first real introduction to the surprisingly fascinating world of birdwatchers.

Don’t confuse birdwatchers with ornithologists

Sure, you could call birdwatchers “amateur ornithologists,” but there are some important differences.
Ornithologists are professional scientists who study birds on a serious, academic level — they research bird biology, behaviour, migration patterns, conduct fieldwork and lab work, and publish scientific papers.
Birdwatchers are people who observe birds out of personal interest, for fun or as a hobby. Their main goal is to spot as many bird species as possible, maybe capture them on camera or jot them down in a notebook, learn more about their feathered neighbours, and sometimes share their discoveries with fellow enthusiasts.
Birdwatching doesn’t require any special training or a degree — all you need is a love for nature, a bit of patience, and maybe a pair of binoculars.
Of course, sometimes the lines get blurry: many birdwatchers become real experts over the years, and quite a few professional ornithologists started out as hobbyist birdwatchers.
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Photo: Matt Bango

Why do people do it?

Everyone has their reasons. For most, it all starts with simple curiosity and a love of nature. Some people birdwatch just for the sheer pleasure of it — it is a way to slow down, unwind, step away from daily worries, and feel a little more connected to the world. For others, it is the thrill of the chase — finding rare species, ticking birds off a life list, or snapping the perfect shot.
Birdwatching is also a chance to learn more about nature, recognise bird songs, notice different behaviours, and meet new friends who share the same interest. For some, it is almost like meditation in the fresh air. For others, it is something else.
And as a bonus, watching birds is great for building attention to detail and patience. (The detective from The Residence series is a perfect example of this!)
Lea Hadidian, the creative, says: “Nature has this quiet way of humbling me, it calms me. Watching birds reminds me that I’m not the only one with routines, feelings, or needs… Their behaviour slows everything down for a moment.”
Lea also shared a moment from her life that she still remembers clearly — a scene from the lives of birds that she became a witness to: “After the Beirut explosion, I went to check on my grandma’s house. The windows had shattered, but right there by the living room window was a bird’s nest — safe and untouched. That image stayed with me: the way birds build, protect, and always return.”
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Photo: Lea Hadidian

Is birdwatching just about notebooks and binoculars?

Actually, there are some great apps for that now! For example, Merlin Bird ID, developed by Cornell University, can identify birds by sound, photo, or even a description.
There is also eBird — a global online database for bird sightings. With the eBird app, you can log all the birds you spot and keep your own checklists as you go.

Just a fact

Scientific studies have shown that individuals residing in areas with greater greenery and active birdlife during the day are less likely to experience symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress.
So go out, watch some birds, and appreciate them!