Expanding the World of Science through Birdwatching

Once viewed as a niche pastime, birdwatching has experienced a surge of popularity with a diverse audience in recent years. During COVID-19, birdwatching, also known as birding, became a pandemic hobby, that continues to grow in size. In fact, the number of birdwatchers  increased more than five-fold  between March 2020 and the end of 2023. It has transformed into a scientific revolution, engaging people across the globe. At the heart of this movement is the power of citizen science, where everyday birders contribute to understanding and protecting bird populations in ways once unimaginable.

It all starts with seeing a bird flutter in front of you. One day, while lying in the grass, you see a  flock of birds  with bright red masks foraging. Before you know it, you're beginning to recognize different foraging behaviors. You want to know more. Which bird makes a call that sounds like a  dying dinosaur with its dry croak?  Why is that raptor screaming? Soon you've learned about the  defense mechanisms for birds of prey . You're hooked.  

I still recall the first time I picked up a pair of binoculars and tried to spot a Yellow-rumped Warbler that was mere feet in front of me. I didn’t realize then how difficult it could be to lock onto your target and keep up with the sporadic jumps and wing flutters. I remember my professor telling us that “we have to rely on our other senses with birding;” I don’t think I quite understood what she meant until this past year.

Like many others, my own passion for birds took flight during my undergraduate years. I remember enrolling in ornithology (the study of birds) with Dr. Donata Henry, whose infectious enthusiasm for birds made her classroom come alive. On the very first day, she led us on a walk through Audubon Park in New Orleans. She pointed out a bird perched near the water, a Double-crested Cormorant, and asked us to identify it. I confidently misidentified it as an Anhinga. Embarrassed, I realized I was the only student who had made the mistake. 

But what stood out most about that moment wasn’t my misstep. It was the kindness and encouragement I received. Over the course of the semester, I discovered that birding is not just about knowing the names of species or spotting them first; it’s about being part of a community. Every birder I met, from my classmates to strangers I encountered in parks, was eager to share tips, tricks, and stories. Their generosity helped me build confidence and sharpen my skills, transforming birdwatching into a lifelong career.

Looking back, that misidentified bird in Audubon Park wasn’t just a mistake. It was the beginning of a journey that would connect me to a global network of bird enthusiasts and researchers, each united by a shared goal: understanding and protecting the birds that bring us closer to the natural world. 

There is so much to learn from birds, and if you’re patient, you’ll find a bit of yourself reflected somewhere in nature. For example, if you're a teacher, you might identify with the Tufted Titmouse. Birders like to say that “Titmice are always schooling others,” as they use their diverse vocalization patterns to help manage flocks comprised of a mix of bird species.

For many, the journey into birding starts with something as simple as learning to focus binoculars or recognizing the  cheerful trill of a warbler  in the backyard. These early moments often spark a lifelong fascination with birds and a deeper connection to the natural world. As interest grows, many birders turn to digital tools like Merlin Bird ID and eBird, two free, widely used platforms developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. These apps are more than just tools; they serve as bridges between hobbyists and professional ornithologists, enabling everyday birders to contribute directly to global avian research.

 Merlin Bird ID  simplifies the process of identifying birds by guiding users through photos, audio recordings, or a series of questions about size, color, location, and behavior. Its advanced AI-powered features, like real-time sound identification and photo matching, make it an invaluable resource for beginners and seasoned birders alike.

Meanwhile,  eBird  is a citizen science platform designed for recording bird sightings. By using GPS and customizable checklists, birders can log the species they observe at specific times and places. These records feed into a massive global database, supporting research on  migration routes ,  population trends , and the impacts of climate change.

Both Merlin and eBird are part of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's broader mission to make bird science and conservation accessible to the public. Their companion site,  All About Birds , offers a wealth of resources, from bird identification guides to in-depth articles on avian behavior and ecology. These efforts are complemented by the  National Audubon Society , another major force in bird conservation. The  Audubon Christmas Bird Count , a community science initiative that has compiled over a century of data on winter bird populations, is one example of how volunteers have helped track changes in bird distributions, often revealing the effects of habitat loss or climate change on species abundance and distribution.

Together, initiatives like Merlin, eBird, and the Christmas Bird Count connect birders, scientists, and conservationists in a shared effort to protect bird populations. By participating, even the newest bird enthusiasts contribute to a vast, collaborative network that turns a simple love of birds into a powerful tool for understanding and safeguarding our natural world.

According to Dr. Corey Callaghan, Assistant Professor at the University of Florida Research in Citizen Science and Urban Ecology, the amount of data about birds collected from citizen scientists has seen a huge increase: “the rate of data is just increasing near exponentially. You know, there's 100,000 plus observations submitted to iNaturalist every day, globally" and that’s just birds. Similar to eBird, you use  iNaturalist  to record observations, but the difference is you submit images and audio recordings of all species, not just birds.

These observations are more than a singular dot in time, they tell a story with “each observation represent[ing] not only a data point about biodiversity, but a data point about when, and how, someone interacted with nature.” Citizen science projects allow scientists to create a massive picture of the world. For example, the amplification of bird photography has helped to categorize color patterns in certain species based on location. From there, we have been able to recognize that these different color patterns can sometimes represent the early stages of a bird population diverging into a new species. Or, we may even discover that what we thought was one species is actually two or more distinct species! For example, repeated observations of  Dark-eyed Juncoes  revealed that there were in fact multiple subspecies, each identifiable based on different coloration.

Birdwatching can seem like a daunting hobby to dive into but breaking it down into steps makes it much easier to approach.

The first challenge is to learn what a bird is. Pay attention to key characteristics such as feathers, beaks, and flight patterns, which are unique to birds.

Take the male Northern Cardinal for example, with his striking, bright red plumage. You would think that his color would give him away, but trust me, even more distinct is his  loud, flamboyant song .

Once you’ve got an eye for identifying birds, it’s time to invest in a good pair of binoculars. Binoculars will help you observe birds from a distance without disturbing them. However, they come with their own learning curve from keeping them clean to finding a comfortable strap for outdoor endeavors. But oftentimes, the most difficult step is learning how to quickly focus and adjust your binoculars. Birds are fast animals and are not going to stop just for you to admire (well a  Double-crested Cormorant  might), so you need to learn how to use your binoculars pretty fast! Check out the video below for a short tutorial on using binoculars.

But learning to use binoculars does not make you an expert right away. As you gain confidence, you’ll discover the astounding variety of birds in your area and beyond. Start with common local species and gradually expand your knowledge. Field guides and apps can be invaluable for learning bird names, calls, and habitats. To learn more, check out these links:  Field Marks ,  Course List , and  Guide to North American Birds , or join a local birding group in your area to learn from others.

Dr. Katie Sieving, professor in the University of Florida's department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, raises an interesting question: could an overabundance of birders inadvertently harm the very species they cherish? During the quiet days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when human activity dwindled, birds expanded into areas they hadn’t occupied in decades, free from human interference. This phenomenon was particularly pronounced in Florida, a state with abundant greenspaces that are increasingly fragmented by rapid urban development. The absence of people during the pandemic offered a rare glimpse into how birds might thrive without human encroachment.

However, as people returned to parks and trails in record numbers, birders among them, new challenges emerged. Citizen science platforms like eBird have enabled ornithologists to track changes in bird communities with remarkable precision, revealing subtle but significant shifts in behavior and habitat use. Yet, the growing enthusiasm for birdwatching, amplified by social media and smartphone apps, has sometimes led to unintentional disruptions of fragile habitats. In Florida, where the balance between conservation and human activity is particularly precarious, the influx of birders can place added strain on ecosystems already under pressure. This paradox highlights the complexities of balancing human engagement with wildlife conservation in an era of unprecedented environmental change.

Despite these challenges, the future of citizen science remains bright. Technology is bridging the gap between professionals and amateurs, encouraging collaboration and innovation. By engaging more people in conservation, the hope is not only to save species but to foster a sense of shared responsibility for the natural world. While avian citizen science is a pioneer in public engagement, it’s just the beginning. These platforms inspire involvement in broader conservation efforts and have helped to create useful resources, such as the  BirdCast map,  which shows live bird migration patterns.

The BirdCast map is an especially valuable tool during natural disasters. For example, take a look at how bird migration patterns shifted during the week leading up to Hurricane Helene, the day it made landfall, and the day after.

As citizen science efforts increase, so too will our understanding of the role humans play in shaping ecosystems. The next time you grab a pair of binoculars or open a citizen science app, take a moment to reflect, what did you learn today, and how can you share that knowledge?

The thing I enjoy most about bird watching is that you never stop learning. Every year as migration hits its peak, I’m left to ponder about which bird calls I forgot from the previous year and species I missed on my checklists. After my first year of birding, I felt confident with my southeastern bird calls, but as the first  Rose-breasted Grosbeak  came back around in spring, I had completely forgotten the  shoe-squeak call  that I had grown accustomed to. For me, birding is not about learning something once, rather it’s about practicing every day and keeping your mind sharp. It’s like learning another language that you can only hope to comprehend someday. As put by Dr. Sieving, “It draws you into the interactions of the wholeness of nature in a really cool way.”

Birds hold the key to understanding our environment’s health and future. Citizen science isn’t just about watching birds; it’s about making real changes in how we manage and share this planet with the natural world.

I want to leave you to ponder one last question: what bird do you feel like today, and why?  

Me? I feel like a Carolina Chickadee, scrambling around the branches, walking upside down, and losing track of myself as I forage.

Katie Sieving is a professor and graduate coordinator in the University of Florida's department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation. Her current research dives into vocal complexities in the family Paridae, and the landscape of highly useful social information they produce. To learn more, check out her  website .

"Today, I think I'll just be an Anhinga in the sun basking."

Corey Callaghan is a professor in the University of Florida's department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation. His lab uses a multi-taxa approach, integrating large data sets such as those derived from citizen science platforms, e.g., iNaturalist and eBird, to understand how species respond to anthropogenic changes in the environment. Check out his  website  to learn more.

"Maybe [I feel like] a Tawny Frog Mouth. I prefer to just sit in the tree and take a nap."

This story was produced by  Levi Hoskins , a student  environmental communicator  with the UF Thompson Earth Systems Institute (TESI). TESI's mission is to advance communication and education about Earth systems science in a way that inspires Floridians to be effective stewards of our planet. 

This story is part of TESI's student-produced  Earth to Florida  newsletter that curates the state’s environmental news and explains what’s going on, why it matters and what we can do about it.