By Chris Bensley
When I first joined a group to go birdwatching, I had no idea what I was doing. I didn’t even bring binoculars and didn’t know the right term for what I was about to do. Meeting my group for the first time outside a nature preserve in Colombia, I asked, “Are you all here to go birdwatching?” The response: “Well, sort of. We’re here to bird.” Whoops—I realized that I was joining big leaguers in birding.
At the time, I thought the difference between "birdwatching" and "birding" was just semantics. Surely, they couldn’t be that different, right? Well, turns out they are. And both have their place. My group in Colombia was extremely supportive of my rookie status, but they were on a quest to count as many birds as they could and see ones they had never seen before.
“Birdwatching is more relaxed—a more passive way to enjoy birds” says Peter Alden. “You don’t have to go far; you can simply look out your window and admire the birds at your feeder. Birders, on the other hand, are the more intense cousins of birdwatchers. They actively seek out birds and sometimes become obsessed with the chase.”
A birder won’t think twice about driving for hours—or even further—just to catch a glimpse of a rare bird. Birding taps into that primal hunting instinct, but in a way that’s all about the thrill, not the kill. There’s also a competitive edge to birding. Many birders keep track of birds they see or hear in their yard, town, county, state, nation or world on both an annual and lifetime data bank on paper and/or electronically. Some take it to the next level with challenges like the “Big Year” (a race to see as many birds as possible in a year) or the high-stakes “World Series of Birding,” a 24-hour contest in New Jersey. A companion on my birding group, Dorian Anderson, had just completed a Big Year to see as many birds by bicycling the lower 48 states.
While birdwatching might not involve chasing birds, that doesn’t mean it’s shallow—birdwatchers are often serious about their hobby, with field guides and binoculars to help them identify species. Huge numbers of people are bird-watchers. In a recent study by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, they report ninety-six million Americans watch birds, nearly a third of the population. Of those, only a tiny fraction have the time, money, and obsessive devotion for hardcore birding.
There’s a meditative quality to birdwatching. Birdwatchers take their time, savoring the moment when they spot a bird. They focus on the beauty and mystery of the scene in front of them, appreciating nature as it unfolds. Thoreau, a bird-watcher, famously said that he could spend from dawn till noon sitting in his doorway surrounded by trees and birds. His bird sightings were chronicled in the new book “A Year of Birds” with poetic descriptions of their habits and traits.
By the end of my first birding trip, I was captivated by birds. After spotting and falling in love with a Chestnut-crowned Antpitta, I wanted more. Over time I began to appreciate first-time sightings and realized that becoming a birder wasn’t as far-fetched as I’d thought. Next year, I’m considering a trip to Newfoundland to catch a glimpse of the Steller’s Sea Eagle where it was last spotted.
So, where do I fit in? Am I a birdwatcher or a birder? Honestly, it depends on the day. As I learn more, I find myself wanting to chase more birds, but sometimes I prefer the calm, reflective side of just watching. In the end, I’d like to balance both.
What about you? Are you a birdwatcher, a birder, or a mix of both?
Comments