Birdwatching: Expert Tips for an Easy, Healthy Retirement Hobby

Summary: Birdwatching is a popular and growing hobby among retirees, offering physical exercise, stress relief and a way to connect with nature. Nearly a third of the U.S. population regularly engages in birdwatching, which can be enjoyed almost anywhere, including one’s own neighborhood, making it an accessible outdoor activity that fosters mindfulness and appreciation of wildlife.

Looking for a retirement hobby that melts away stress and provides some exercise? The answer might be right outside your back door.

Millions of Americans have discovered the physical and mental health benefits of birdwatching, and the number keeps growing every day.

“Birding and any activity that lets us connect with nature can help reduce the stress of day-to-day modern life,” said David Mizjewski, a naturalist with the National Wildlife Federation. “Being outside practicing observation skills fosters mindfulness and appreciation for the life all around us. Outdoor activities like birding are a great way to get exercise and fresh air to improve our physical health, too.”

According to Mizjewski, about 96 million Americans — nearly a third of the U.S. population — say they’re regular birdwatchers. The beauty of birds, unlike more elusive wildlife, is they can be found almost anywhere. That’s why many birdwatchers enjoy this fast-growing pastime without ever leaving their neighborhood.

How to get started birdwatching

Taking up birdwatching is inexpensive and easy, and it’s a fulfilling pastime you can enjoy for life.

“The great news is you don’t really need anything to get started birding other than curiosity,” Mizjewski said. “It can be as simple as just going outside to look and listen.”

While all you need are your eyes and ears, Mizjewski recommends a couple of inexpensive tools to help you get a closer look and identify birds.

“Most birders invest in a pair of binoculars, which makes spotting birds easier, especially shy species, birds soaring high and those in the tree canopy,” he said. He also suggests having a camera ready — even if it’s just the one on your phone — to capture photos of birds you encounter.

With so many types of birds flying around, identifying them may seem overwhelming at first, but with a little practice and a good field guide, you’ll be identifying birds in no time, Mizjewski said.

“The best way to learn how to identify birds is just get outside and start observing,” he said.

Before you head out, you may want to pick up a detailed field guide for your region online or at your local bookstore or library. The internet also offers video tutorials and birding classes to further hone your skills.

Experienced birdwatchers in your area can be a valuable source of information. Consider joining a birdwatching club. Members can offer their expertise, recommend the best viewing spots and provide some welcome camaraderie.

“You don’t have to be an expert or even be able to identify the birds you see or hear,” he said. “Learning as you go is part of the fun.”

Enhancing your birdwatching experience

Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can up your birdwatching game with a variety of helpful tools and resources, including apps for your phone.

Mizjewski recommends Cornell’s Merlin Bird ID app to help distinguish birds by their calls — a great tool for identifying birds you can hear but can’t see. The app is also handy for recording and organizing your observations.

To keep observing birds even when you can’t get outdoors, a wide variety of companies offer birdfeeders with built-in cameras that send live video to your phone whenever a bird is feeding.

Create a bird-friendly backyard

Want birds to flock to you? Consider transforming your backyard into a bird-friendly haven. Growing and nurturing bird habitat around your home starts with selecting the right plants, Mizjewski said. The carefully planned mix of vegetation provides birds with food — seeds, berries, fruits, nuts, nectar and the insects that 96% of backyard birds rely on to feed their babies.

“Reduce the amount of lawn, which is essentially a dead zone ecologically, in favor of naturally planted beds filled with trees, shrubs, wildflowers and other native plants,” he said.

Plants, especially trees and shrubs, provide nesting locations and protection from predators and the elements. Plants native to your area are always the best choices. And, be sure to add a birdbath or a small pond to provide birds with a reliable source of water.

To maintain your garden, Mizjewski suggests adopting natural, sustainable practices.

“Stop spraying pesticides, which kill the insects and plants birds rely on for food sources — and sometimes the birds themselves,” he said.

If your garden includes the four components of habitat (food, water, cover and places for birds to raise their young) and you commit to gardening naturally, the National Wildlife Federation may recognize it as a Certified Wildlife Habitat.

Something else to consider when planning a bird-friendly habitat: Free-roaming domesticated cats kill as many as 4 billion wild birds a year, Mizjewski said. So, it’s vital for cat owners to keep their pets inside.

For retirees and wildlife enthusiasts of all ages, birdwatching is an easy, low-cost hobby that can boost both mental and physical health. All it takes is a desire to watch, listen and learn from the feathered friends right outside your back door.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What are the five S’s of birding?

When identifying birds, start with the five S’s: shape, shade, size, sound and space. Shape is the general shape of the bird. Shade refers to colors and patterns, such as stripes or spots. For size, compare it to a bird you’re familiar with. When listening to sounds, note whether it’s a long, complicated song or a repeated single note. Space refers to the habitat — tree, water or ground — where you observe the bird.¹

What’s the difference between birdwatching and birding?

There’s no hard-and-fast definition. In general, birdwatchers observe birds with some level of interest. Those who prefer to be called birders tend to be more intense and dedicated. While still technically birdwatchers, birders typically spend more time afield, use more expensive equipment and are more diligent about documenting their observations.²

Sources:

¹U.S. Department of Interior Bureau of Land Management, Campbell Creek Science Center, The Five S’s of Birding, accessed Oct. 2025, blm.gov/sites/default/files/Learn_CCSC_Nature-Learning-Downloads_The-Five-S-of-Birding.pdf

²Ornithology: The Science of Birds, Birds and Birdwatchers, Dr. David Lederer, accessed Oct. 2025, ornithology.com/birding-and-birdwatchers

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