Taking the time to stop, appreciate nature, and enjoy the melodic sounds of birds can be a simple yet fulfilling activity. Interestingly, it seems that many people are doing more than just listening. Birdwatching is a growing hobby, with a report from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in December 2024 indicating that 96 million Americans looked to the skies in search of birds in 2022.

This pastime is easy to access and can be enjoyed by individuals of all ages. Whether you’re just admiring the birds around your home or venturing across the globe to catch a glimpse of a rare species, birdwatching offers a wide range of experiences.

Check out this video to learn how to identify a bird just by the sound it makes.

Getting Started with Birdwatching

Birdwatching requires minimal equipment to get started. According to the National Park Service (NPS), all you need is sharp eyesight, binoculars, a guidebook for birds, and “a positive attitude.”

If you’re keen to begin, here are some tips from the NPS:

• Learn about the bird species native to your area.
• Pick a good location. A spot where “two habitats meet,” like a shoreline or forest edge, is ideal, according to the NPS.
• Pay attention to the season and time of day. Many birds are more active during dawn and dusk when the air is cooler, making their calls travel farther.
• Dress to blend in. Being inconspicuous and staying still will help prevent birds from being scared off.
• Practice patience.

Setting up a bird feeder in your backyard can be a delightful way to observe the birds in your neighborhood. However, if you plan to visit a national park, keep in mind that feeding any wildlife is prohibited there.

Identifying Bird Sounds

Observing and listening to birds can be a pleasurable experience, and for many, that’s enough. However, some may wish to elevate their hobby by learning how to identify various species.

Numerous books can assist you, but if you prefer a quick method, you might consider downloading an app.

Merlin Bird ID is a free application that helps you recognize the birds you encounter by sight or sound. Created by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, this app aims to answer the question: “What bird is that?” It functions similarly to the song-identifying app Shazam, but for bird calls. The app listens to the sounds, analyzes them, and identifies which birds are singing. You can replay the audio and see which bird is chirping at specific intervals. The app can also identify birds from a photo or by guiding you through a few questions to narrow down your options.

While Merlin Bird ID is not the only app available for bird identification, it is the most widely used, with over 103,000 ratings and an impressive average of 4.9 stars on the Apple App Store.

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Joining Birdwatching Groups

Birdwatching can be enjoyed individually or in a group setting. If you’re interested in connecting with others who share your passion for birds, there are several resources to help you find a community nearby.

• Visit your state’s Ornithological Society website for lists of local bird clubs and Audubon societies, along with contact information.
• Explore the American Birding Association website.
• Utilize social media. Many regional and state birding groups and Audubon societies maintain Facebook groups or Instagram pages. Search for keywords like MD Birding, Western Mass Birding, or Birds Georgia.

You can also discover more niche birdwatching communities, such as those focused on bird photography, rare species, LGBTQ+ birders, or Black birders.