According to a survey conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, more than 51.3 million Americans participate in the activity of birdwatching. In fact, it is becoming one of the fastest-growing outdoor activities in America. Birdwatching – or birding – is the activity of observing wild birds, learning to identify them and understand their habitat and migration patterns. And, just in case you are wondering: watching birds in cages at the zoo, or in any other form of captivity doesn’t count.
Over 9,000 bird species exist worldwide. Approximately 1,400 species of birds exist in North America: 1,000 in Mexico, 900 in the U.S., and 600 in Canada. More than 250 of these species migrate across the three countries on an annual basis. Whether or not you know it, at any one time there are at least 100 species of birds that are easy to find in your region, no matter where you live.
Birds, like all living things, can forecast environmental conditions. Observing birds can assist us in understanding human impact on nature, and developing ways to coexist in a mutually fulfilling manner.
Children Make Perfect Birders
A child’s constant need for knowledge and facts can be satisfied instantly by a trip into the woods or neighboring open lands to observe the birdlife. Why do birds sing? How do they fly? Where do they go in winter? Why are their eggs speckled or blue? Bird names, songs, behavior, and relationship to the rest of nature – all of these facts add up to a knowledge base that logically ties into history, geography, art and science. These days, children have less time to stop, look and listen; birding offers a wonderful opportunity to take part in these simple pleasures.
For kids, birds are especially fascinating because they can fly! Avid model airplane builders and fans of flight will be fascinated with the aerodynamics of wing shape and speed. This particular trait is obvious in birds of prey because they are so large and visible as they cruise the updrafts and scout their prey from high above the ground. For a child, this is an astonishing feat of nature.
Essentials for Beginning Birders
To start watching birds, you need two things: a field guide and binoculars. Field guides come in all shapes and sizes. Some cover birds from around the world while others relate to a specific geographic region. They are packed with descriptions, photographs and drawing, maps and other helpful information about birds.
Good bird books for kids include:
The Young Birder's Guide to Birds of Eastern North America by Bill Thompson III
Backyard Birding for Kids by Fran Lee
Birds (a Peterson First Guide) by Roger Tory Peterson
A Guide to the Birds of Sapsucker Woods, Vol. 1: Birds of the Hardwood Forest coloring book
Other highly recommended birding books include:
The Peterson Field Guide Series by Roger Tory Peterson
Field Guide to the Birds of North America, National Geographic Society
The Sibley Guide to Birds, by David Allen Sibley
The Audubon Backyard Birdwatcher, by Robert Burton and Stephen W. Kress
Birding.com recommends the 8x21 Eagle Optics Energy binoculars for inexpensive and sufficient starters. They come in five colors, and can focus on something as close as 8’ away - certainly a bonus for kids.
Hats and birding vests are extras. Hats should shade the eyes, but not interfere with the child's ability to use the binoculars. Birding vests are like fishing vests: they hold tools and snacks.
Backyard Birding
Build – or buy - a bird feeder: Backyards and bird feeders offer excellent birding opportunities. They provide all the essentials: birds, an area to practice using binoculars, and the opportunity for long term study. Birdfeeder kits are available at bird retailers and hobby stores. They are very easy to build as well. Ensure that the feeder is sufficiently large to capture a variety of birds.
A word of caution for all budding birders. Birdfeeders attract other creatures. Raccoons and foxes, common urban dwellers, find the leftover seed extremely attractive. In more remote areas, coyotes and black bears tend to enjoy the feeders as well. For that reason, removing feeders for the summer is highly recommended.
Hummingbird feeders offer great observation opportunities throughout the summer. These small, aggressive birds are fun to watch as they tackle one another mid-flight. Locating one adjacent to an outdoor gathering area offers great viewing opportunities.
Do not put a feeder or a birdhouse in a yard with a cat. This will become an active hunting ground for the cat, cause stress for the birds, and result in little to no bird observation opportunities.
Birding is a hobby that can be enjoyed over a life-time. It is a feel-good activity for families, teaching the concepts of ecology, conservation, sustainability and an appreciation for all living things.
