Right now, we are facing a new “normal” – we are being told to stay in our homes, socially distance ourselves from the ones we love, and delay or change our plans to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. Many of us are experiencing anxiety and uncertainty about the future.  Now, more than ever, we need to find solace in nature.

However, many of us have lost access, albeit temporarily, to our most valued natural spaces like parks and trails. In this article, I will introduce you to one of my favorite nature-related pastimes, birding, and explain why birding from home should be your new hobby.

Image by Lauren Whitenack

Step outside and take note of the first animal you observe. I am willing to bet that animal is a bird. Birds are excellent study subjects because unlike other animals, birds are often visible and vocal occupants of their habitat. I like to think that humans and birds exist in the background of each other’s lives. The constant presence of birds in our lives makes observing them accessible, even from home.

What makes birds so interesting? Aside from the fact that they can fly, which we are all jealous of, birds are modern-day descendants of theropod dinosaurs. When I imagine the mighty Tyrannosaurus, or the vicious Deinonychus, I like to picture a domesticated chicken enlarged to the size of a dinosaur.

Image by Lauren Whitenack and William Colaw

Birds have relatively large brains for their size which contributes to their excellent color vision (unlike humans, birds also see colors in the UV spectrum) and complex social interactions.

Birds are incredibly diverse. From warblers that sing high and sweet to eagles that hunt with grace and precision, and from hummingbirds that can fly backwards to penguins that cannot fly at all, the world of birds has endless opportunity for discovery.

Birding, simply defined, is the observation of birds. “Bird watching” is perhaps an inaccurate synonym, since birding involves a great deal of listening as well as watching.

To be a birder, you do not need to memorize field guides or know all the species in your area. You do not need to own expensive equipment or have access to acres of wild land.

You simply need to step outside, or even look outside through a window, open your eyes and your ears, and observe.

Image by Lauren Whitenack

Start by noticing and learning to identify the common birds in your area. Observe birds singing, foraging, and interacting with each other. Keep a notebook or sketchbook nearby to record your observations. If you see a bird you cannot identify, take a picture and look it up later.

The Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology has created some excellent, and free, online resources to help people identify birds by sight and sound and learn about their life histories. I suggest downloading the free Merlin Bird ID app and visiting the website www.allaboutbirds.org.

Now is the perfect time to begin your new hobby—birding from home! The wide world of birds awaits.

Image by Lauren Whitenack