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In a time when technology often keeps us glued to screens, millions of Americans are looking up and finding joy in the great outdoors—by watching birds! According to the Birding in the United States: A Demographic and Economic Analysis, an Addendum to the 2022 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, 96 million people in the U.S. engage in birding! Birdwatching continues to be a popular pastime and a significant economic force, and thanks to this detailed report, we now have more insights into who birders are and how their activities contribute to the economy.
Birdwatching by the Numbers: A Nationwide Phenomenon
If birders in the U.S. formed their own country, their numbers would surpass the populations of most nations worldwide. The most recent data shows that 96 million people (or 3 out of 10 Americans) engaged in birding, making up 37% of the population aged 16 and older.
These data are based on the wildlife-watching section of the 2022 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, the most comprehensive survey of wildlife-related pursuits in the country. Due to changes in the National Survey methodology, we can’t compare these estimates to past surveys. However, with advances in technologies most people can now photograph, record, and identify birds via their cell phone making birding more accessible than in years past.
Backyard birding leads the flock, with 95% of birders (91 million people) who watch from the comfort of their homes. Meanwhile, at least 44% (43 million people) traveled on birding adventures a mile or more from home. Whether people are watching birds in their backyard, community parks, or traveling long distances to observe them, this addendum report shows just how popular birding is.
Economic Impact: Birding’s Multi-Billion-Dollar Boost
Birding is a significant driver of tourism, retail, and conservation funding with economic contributions at a scale that is almost hard to fathom. In 2022, birders spent $107.6 billion on their activities— split between $14 billion spent on trip-related costs (such as food, lodging, and transportation) and $93 billion on equipment like birdhouses, binoculars, cameras, and even land purchases. These expenditures also contributed to county tax revenue ($7 billion), state tax revenue ($9 billion), and federal tax revenue ($22 billion). All this birding activity helped support 1.4 million jobs and generated $90.2 billion in labor income. The total economic output in 2022 reached a remarkable $279 billion, underscoring its role as a powerful driver of local and national economies!
Who Are America’s Birders?
Birders are as diverse as the species they admire. They can range from photographers who travel hours to photograph birds to someone that uses a birding ID app to identify birds during their walks in their local park. Birding can be the main reason someone ventures out into nature or can be a dual pastime like an angler enjoying the osprey at their favorite fishing hole or a hunter appreciating the birds around them in a forest. Like other outdoor pursuits, it is a gateway to the outdoors and brings people together in an important way as they connect with nature.
While the average birder is 49 years old, participation spans all ages, with particularly strong numbers among those aged 55 and older. Birders are equally likely to be male or female, and while 75% identify as White; Asian Americans have the highest participation rate at 47%.
"Americans from all walks of life are finding great joy and value in the birds and natural world around them. By protecting bird habitats and conserving their populations, we’re creating a healthier, more connected world for generations to come." - Jerome Ford, Assistant Director of the Service Migratory Bird Program.
A Lifestyle of Discovery
Birding isn’t just an activity; it’s a way of life that profoundly influences how people connect with the world around them. For many, watching birds is therapeutic, educational, and deeply rewarding. It can take you far from home on a trek through unfamiliar places or help you unwind while watching them in your garden. Americans enjoy it so much they spent a combined 7.5 billion days birding in 2022, with backyard birders averaging 67 days and those traveling from home averaging 34 days.
Taking time to appreciate birds outside can offer an escape from the hustle of daily life, replacing stress with moments of wonder and awe. From the thrill of hearing a new bird song to the joy of observing a familiar one returning to your home, birds bring us excitement that make us come back for more! This connection often inspires a stronger sense of stewardship, motivating people to protect the habitats that make these experiences possible and fostering a deeper commitment to conservation. By fostering this connection and commitment to conservation, birding inspires action and lays the groundwork for a more sustainable and harmonious relationship to nature that benefits both humans and wildlife.
A Vision for the Future
Birdwatching offers a bridge to nature that can unite people from all walks of life. As the number of birders increases, so does the opportunity to make conservation efforts more inclusive and impactful. With advances in technology like birding apps and cell phone cameras, identifying and appreciating birds has become easier than ever, drawing in a broader audience. Programs across the country are working to remove barriers, engage new participants, and ensure that everyone—regardless of age, background, or location—can experience the joy and wonder of birding.
Take Flight with Birding
Whether you’re joining a local bird walk, hanging a feeder in your backyard, or planning a road trip to watch the spectacle of bird migration at a National Wildlife Refuge, your appreciation of birds is part of a movement that’s making a big impact. Next time you notice a flash of wings or hear the melody of a songbird, pause and take a moment to connect. Let that moment inspire you—to explore, to learn, and to help sustain our shared world. Together, like the birds, we can flock toward a brighter future, ensuring our feathered friends continue to enrich lives for generations to come.
Become a Birder!
About the National Survey
Conducted since 1955, the National survey provides information on patterns of participation of outdoor pursuits. The wealth of information presented in each survey allows stakeholders, researchers, and agency partners to put current participation in perspective through data on recruitment and retention. Every survey contains an updated snapshot of fishing, hunting, wildlife-watching, and other recreational data and provides information on participants’ gender, age, and other demographics. The survey is coordinated by the Office of Conservation Investment and is created in partnership with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. Funding for the National Survey and the addendum reports is provided through a Multistate Conservation Grant.
Birding in the United States: A Demographic and Economic Analysis
2022 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation
Note: The 2022 survey included shorter questionnaires and an online format that allowed participants to self-administer interviews at their convenience. These changes increased our ability to measure US resident participation in wildlife and nature-dependent activities and their impacts as an economic driver. However, this prevents results from being directly compared to previous surveys for the purposes of trend analysis.
Resources
Become a Citizen Scientist
Birders and birdwatchers play an essential role in bird conservation, and you can make an impact by reporting banded birds. If you find a bird with a band, follow these three easy steps to help scientists better understand and protect migratory birds:
If you find a banded bird, you can report it to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Bird Banding Laboratory:
- Go to the USGS Bird Banding Laboratory site: Report Bird Bands
- Report the band number(s), date, time, and location of the bird
- Provide your contact information
