Birdwatching facts for kids

Birdwatching, also known as birding, is a fun hobby where you go outside to watch birds. People who do this are called birdwatchers or birders. While both words mean the same, serious bird enthusiasts often call themselves "birders." Birdwatching is usually done by people who enjoy it as a hobby, not as a job. The scientific study of birds is called ornithology, and people who study birds for a living are called ornithologists.

Birdwatching is very popular in countries like Britain and the United States. It's especially exciting in spring when many birds sing and build nests for their young. In spring and autumn, you can see lots of birds as they migrate (travel long distances). In winter, different kinds of birds might visit from colder places like the Arctic, where food becomes scarce.

Tools for Birdwatching

A pelican flying moves steadily enough for it to be followed with a pair of binoculars

It's helpful to have a good pair of binoculars to see birds clearly, even if they are far away. You can also use telescopes, which make birds look much bigger than binoculars do. However, telescopes need a tripod to keep them steady, as you can't hold them still enough by hand. They are great for watching birds that stay in one spot, like ducks on a lake. But they are not good for birds flying or hopping quickly between trees.

Some birders enjoy taking photographs of birds. This can be tricky and often requires expensive cameras with long lenses. You can even attach telescopes to cameras; this is called digiscoping.

What are Twitchers?

A pair of binoculars are essential for birdwatching

Some birdwatchers are known as twitchers. Twitching means spending a lot of time trying to see as many different kinds of rare birds as possible. Twitchers keep lists of all the birds they have seen. If they hear that a rare bird has been spotted somewhere, they will often travel long distances just to see it and add it to their list!

How Birdwatchers Help Birds

Even though most birdwatchers are hobbyists, they are very helpful. They share what they see with organizations like the British Trust for Ornithology. This is a type of citizen science, where everyday people help with scientific research. This information is important when decisions are made about protecting the environment, especially when new buildings or projects might affect bird habitats. It helps us understand what birds need to survive.

Some birders also help with bird ringing. This involves putting a small, light ring on a bird's leg. If the bird is seen again, the ring helps us identify it. This way, we learn where birds travel and what they do. Birders also take part in bird counts. For example, in Britain, a "Big Garden Birdwatch" project happens every year in late January. Over 400,000 people watch birds in their gardens for one hour and list what they see. Comparing these results over the years helps us know which birds are doing well and which ones are becoming less common.

Being Respectful to Birds

Birders are always reminded how important it is not to bother birds. This is super important during the nesting season. If birds are nesting on the ground in fields or grassy areas, you should never go near them. Some birds get used to people, but others are very shy. Always keep a safe distance to avoid disturbing them.

Bird Organizations

Here are some national organizations that care about birds:

• In the United Kingdom:
  • British Trust for Ornithology
  • Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
• In the United States:
  • National Audubon Society
  • American Birding Association

Images for kids

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  A group birdwatching with binoculars and a telescope

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  A birdwatching tower in Hankasalmi, Finland

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  Birdwatching photographers, New South Wales, June 1921, AH Chisholm

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  Spotting rare birds, such as the Antioquia brushfinch, pictured, is a goal for some birdwatchers

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  Birdwatchers at J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Sanibel, Florida

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  The Strait of Messina, Sicily, a classic migration bottleneck, seen from the Peloritani mountains

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  Moroccan students watching birds at Nador's lagoon as a part of environmental education activities organized by the Spanish Ornithological Society

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  Birdwatchers watching Britain's fifth-ever white-tailed lapwing at Caerlaverock, Scotland, 6 June 2007

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  Birders using a tower hide to gain views over foreground vegetation. Bay of Liminka, south of Oulu, Finland.

See also

In Spanish: Observación de aves para niños