Birding is defined as the observation of birds in their natural habitat as a hobby, and "birder" is the name for individuals who enjoy this hobby in all of its many forms. There's no right or wrong way to bird (yep, it's a verb, too!), though there is a birder's code of ethics to birding. One of our goals at Madison Audubon is to encourage birders of all types, ages, and skill levels in their pursuit of this fantastic hobby.
But birding is more than just a hobby: according to the US Fish & Wildlife Service, it's a huge part of who we are culturally, and birding contributes significantly to our economy as well. Did you know...
46.7 million Americans enjoy watching and feeding birds (Wisconsin’s percentage of birders ranks second highest in the nation, tied with West Virginia)
$107 billion is spent on birdwatching equipment and travel in the U.S.
666,000 jobs are created due to birdwatching.
$13 billion in local, state, and federal tax revenue results from birdwatching.
17.8 million Americans travel to see birds, putting millions into local economies.
No matter what your style, remember that birding is for everyone! Continue reading from Madison Audubon
How to Start Birding (Audubon Society)
Just Getting Started? Welcome to the World of Birding! (American Birding Association)
The Difference Between Bird Watching and Birding (The New Yorker)
Discover a New World of Birding (eBird)
Why Bird? (National Park Services)
Birding Festivals And Events (All About Birds)
Winging It: Birding Along the Shore (CT Visits)
