by DJ Featherton

It wasn’t that long ago that birds were pretty much taken for granted and bird watchers were few. Egrets were hunted for their plumage and ducks were shot by the gross. Backyard woodland birds were target practice for BB guns and rifles. Raptors were killed as “chicken hawks,” and eagles were indiscriminately taken for mounting trophies and to protect children, pets and livestock from being carried off into the sky. Does anyone remember the days of DDT and the like? Birds have not had it easy. Their numbers are decreasing as we take their environment and struggle with climate change. These days may be more difficult for birds than earlier on, but there’s been an evolution to our appreciation for their beauty and understanding of their importance. With laws to protect, it’s much harder to imagine someone blasting a Red-tail from a tree branch. 

Here’s some positive stuff…Bird watchers are now called “birders” and are now birding in huge numbers. They carry a Peterson or Sibley Field Guide of Birds book in their pocket and use only the finest binoculars and spotter scopes that money can buy. Hey, I’m not talking about counting robins in the backyard. Whether solo birding along the marsh, or in a large gathering of many to see that special bird that just showed up, these birders are serious and smart. I can hear, “Did you see an eye ring? Were there bands on his tail? Maybe it’s a morph.” Can all this birding activity have any positive effect on our economy? Well, here are some very impressive numbers that have been published.

Today, there are over 45 million active birders 16 years of age and older. 16 million of them leave their home to find birds and 10 million travel long distances to spot birds. With this, $1.8 BILLION are spent annually on binoculars and spotting scopes alone! That’s more than hunters spend for rifles and shotguns each year! And, how about this … $4 BILLION are spent each year for bird food!  And that’s greater than what is spent on rods and reels for fishing! 

Now, let’s add cameras, clothing, bus tours, conventions and so much more. Yes, birding is an industry now big enough to impact our economy. This serves the birds as well. Today, there are thousands and thousands of environmentally friendly backyards with feeders and feeding stations full of quality feed: Nyjer thistle, Black Oil sunflower, Safflower and, oh yes, SUET! There are excellent bird houses for every bird from blue birds to owls and wood ducks. There are beautiful glass Hummingbird Feeders and all kinds of plain ones that are super functional! You can buy hummingbird “nectar” or make it yourself!

I invite you to join the industry and be a birder! Enjoy the beauty of the birds, the fun of a “positive make” to add to your life list. There’ll be lots of camaraderie, debates and story telling that are good for a lifetime!