In an effort to quit scrolling and cut down on screen time, more and more people are turning to analog activities, otherwise known as “grandma hobbies.” And one of the most popular ones right now is birdwatching.
Earlier this year, searches for the term “birding” reached an all-time high, according to Google Trends. And the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has shared that around one-third of Americans (96 million people) have engaged in birding, with the majority of people doing it right from their backyards, while plenty of others have traveled to local parks or even long distances to observe birds.
For those who are interested in birding, but not sure where to start, we asked the experts about everything you should know before you try the hobby.
What is birding?
While there are “all different stages and levels” to birding, Carla Shotwell, a guide in New York City’s Central Park, says that at its core, it’s all about noticing and observing birds. You don’t need binoculars, and you don’t even actually need to spot birds; you can simply listen for them as well.
“I like to think of birding as one of the more accessible ways that you can interact and engage with nature, because you could really be birding waiting at the bus stop. Because you’re going to see pigeons and sparrows just about anywhere you are, even in an urban setting,” Shotwell adds.
One of the best parts about birding is that you don’t need to spend any money or purchase any gear to get started, which makes it an accessible hobby for many people.
Best birding books and guides, according to editors and experts
As an avid bird lover, associate editor Lauren Witonsky’s mom is a fan of this book. It’s packed with affordable DIY projects, including simple feeders, bird treats and more that will help turn your garden into a bird sanctuary.
The founder of The Feminist Bird Club, Molly Adams, along with Sydney Golden Anderson, wrote this book, which Anantharaman says “focuses on finding joy and community in birding.”
In the book, you’ll find journaling prompts, illustrations as well as enlightening information about inclusivity issues facing the birding community, ecological challenges facing birds and actionable steps that individuals can take towards change.
Shotwell says that it can be “really helpful” to have some form of a field guide while birding. There are plenty of apps that can help you identify birds right on your phone (our editors recommend the Merlin app).
However, if you are trying to stay away from technology, a physical guide is a great option. This guide, which is sold in the Central Park Conservancy Shop, features birds that are found in the areas of the U.S. and Canada east of the Rocky Mountains.
“That’s a good, easy-to-use field guide that’s small and light enough that you actually can carry it with you,” Shotwell says. “I think it’s helpful to look up different species.”
“This travel guide includes over 60 destinations where you can do some of the best birdwatching on the planet,” shares new birder and Shop TODAY deputy editorial director Jess Bender. “Highlights include bald eagle spotting in Alaska, puffin immersion in Iceland and white heron discovery in Oceania — and these are just a few that I highlighted for my future travels!”
“Did you know that New York City and Long Island have over 500 species of birds? I didn’t until my dad got me this book!” says Bender. “I’ve been taking this guide with me to work on days when I know I’ll have some spare time to go bird spotting after work in Central Park and need an easy reference for any feathered friends I encounter.”
Best binoculars for birding, according to experts and editors
“What I love [most] — there is a tripod that connects to the binoculars, so you can connect your phone and capture photos of what you’re looking at!” TODAY lifestyle contributor Melissa Garcia previously shared about these binoculars.
“I’ve spent months researching the perfect birdwatching binoculars for my budget, and I’m this close to settling on this top-rated pair from Nikon,” says Bender. “Several birdwatching blogs and Reddit threads have recommended several iterations from the brand, but I’m particularly sold on its magnification levels (10X), lightweight design (less than a pound) and easy-to-maneuver design.”
“I have recently gotten into bird watching and as somebody who needs glasses, having a pair of binoculars is a big help when birding,” says editor Vivien Moon. “I have this pair and love them for walks in the park when I have time to wander off and see if I can catch any new birds or see what other critters are hiding in the trees. They’re lightweight, sturdy and waterproof so I can feel good about bringing them on any adventure.”
More of the best birdwatching essentials, according to experts and editors
Sometimes you spot a bird, spend a few minutes paging through your guide to find it, and then look back up only to see it’s disappeared. That’s why Shotwell says that it can be helpful to have a notebook, so you can write down details, like coloring or wing description, to later look it up in your guide.
Moon says she thinks a smaller notebook, like this one, would be helpful, as you can easily carry it around with you as you walk.
“I love love LOVE Parks Projects’ collaboration with the National Audubon Society,” says Bender. “They really excel at coming up with super cool designs that reflect the specific causes they’re highlighting, and the few pieces I own from PP (including this hoodie) have been some of the most comfortable pieces in my wardrobe.”
Multiple Shop TODAY parents are fans of this smart bird feeder. Not only does it allow you to see birds as they arrive to feed (or it will take photos so you can look back later), but it also features AI technology to help you recognize the type of bird it is.
While I haven’t tried this bird bath myself, I saw it recently at an event for Chewy and thought this would be the ultimate splurge for bird lovers. The bath has room for multiple birds at a time, and the nozzle keeps water circulating so it’s always fresh for them. Plus, it has a solar panel to help ensure you never miss out on any activity.
Why is birding a good hobby?
Birding requires you to “slow down and just be more observant about the natural world around you,” Shotwell says. “So you have to get off your phone. You have to engage in real time with [the world] around you.”
As a result, you may find yourself getting more drawn into the other facets of the natural world. “You get interested in the kinds of plants that they’re drawn to, the kinds of habitats or insects that they’re interested in, the seeds,” Shotwell shares. “So then it starts to open up this whole other world that you may not have even noticed before of plants and insects. It’s just this really cool opening into the natural world that you may not have really engaged with before and not have been interested in before.”
There are also benefits for your brain, too. A recent study showed that the pastime can alter the structure and function of your brain and even enhance cognition.
What should you expect from your first time birding?
A big part of birding is patience. “In order to notice birds, you really do have to be patient with yourself and patient with birds,” says Shotwell. You shouldn’t necessarily go into the experience expecting to see a new species or a large number of birds, especially if it’s your first time observing birds in a certain area.
While it can be helpful to walk around, it’s not necessary. “If you don’t want to walk through an area or you feel a little bit intimidated about getting lost, you can sit and wait for birds to come to you,” Shotwell says. Though, again, she advises that you’ll want to “be patient with yourself as far as seeing the birds.”
In birding in general, but especially your first few sessions, you can expect to be surprised, says Anantharaman. “Even if you don’t see a bird that is new to you, if you spend long enough looking and slow down, you can be surprised by bird behaviors you haven’t seen before, or [by] noticing the beauty in birds that seem common.”
It also doesn’t have to be a solitary activity. In Central Park, for example, they offer guided tours, exploring some of the lesser-known areas of the park. The Feminist Bird Club has chapters across the country, and so do other organizations, like the National Audubon Society.
“Even if you start out doing it by yourself, you’re going to end up making birding friends along the way pretty easily if you’d like to,” Shotwell says.
Where is the best place to see birds?
You can find birds almost everywhere, from a street corner to your backyard; however, there are plenty of online resources that can help you identify the best parks and locations to see birds in your area.
“Birds thrive in a variety of habitats! But to pick a beginner-friendly place, around or near a body of water is a great start,” says Anantharaman.
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Meet our experts
At Shop TODAY, our reporters interview a range of qualified sources and experts to capture a wide scope of perspectives on the latest trends. We also ensure that all expert guidance and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Carla Shotwell is a tour guide with the Central Park Conservancy in New York City. The conservancy offers a number of tours for nature lovers and birders alike, including a Birding Basics tour and a Summer Pollinators tour.
- Divya Anantharaman is the communications director for Feminist Bird Club. The organization was founded in New York City but has since expanded to chapters across North America and Europe.
