I used to laugh at older people who enjoy birdwatching, but it has occured to me recently that maybe I've become one of them.
Every morning, usually before I start working, I get up and go outside to feed my animals their daily treats. The ducks get a bag of frozen peas and maybe some lettuce. The chickens get a cup of sunflower seeds and usually some kitchen scraps. I'll let the ducks out of their pen during this time so I can change out their pool and various water sources, and I'll usually sit with them for 30 minutes or an hour and just let them run around my property and stretch their legs without worrying about predators.
Recently, while I was sitting out there, I realized that a male and female cardinal show up every single day and join the chickens for sunflower seed snacks, so I began putting a handful in a location that would make it easier for their access without my resident diva, Lola, chasing them away. I have so much fun watching those cardinals every day. I also enjoy watching my birds, and what started as problem with hawks attacking my chickens has turned into a daily game of "what sort of bird of prey is this flying over my land?"
Despite the fact that I own several, I've never considered myself a bird person, but here we are. I'd rather watch small, feathered creatures pick at sunflower seeds than whatever is on Netflix. I'm beginning to understand why my grandfather used to love to keep a bird feeder outside his kitchen window and sit and watch it for what seemed like hours.
As it turns out, this isn't just some rite of passage that occurs once you hit a certain age. There's actual science behind it.
We all know that being in nature is good for our mental and physical health. According to the National Audubon Society, that's one reason why people pick up birdwatching as a hobby: "Being in nature — pausing in it, sitting with it, discovering its wonders —brings a sense of calm and renewal."
But being around birds — a lot of birds — can actually make us happier. A study conducted by the German Center for Integrative Biodiversity Research suggests that access to "greater bird biodiversity" increased life-satisfaction for more than 26,000 people in 26 countries. As a matter of fact, seeing a 10% increase in bird diversity around you can increase satisfaction "on par with a comparable increase in income."
You don't need a raise; you just need a birdfeeder.
That makes sense to me. Costa Rica is home to over 900 bird species. It's one of the most biodiverse places in the world. As a matter of fact, the Tourism officials actually push birdwatching as a reason to visit their lovely country, and that has recently expanded.
As many of you may know, I spend a lot of time there, and I often feel more relaxed when I do. Admittedly, I spend a lot of time watching birds, from scarlet macaws to hummingbirds zipping around the jungles, beaches, and even the backyard of the homes I rent. When I was thinking about writing this, I actually remembered a very specific day in Puerto Viejo, where I spent hours in the pool in my backyard watching toucans fly in and out of the trees overhead. In the meantime, this little creature and her baby chick would run to the pool and sneak a drink of water when they thought I wasn't looking. The picture is a little blurry, but it's the strangest-looking bird I've ever seen, and it took me forever to capture it darting around the pool. Evidently, it's a grey-cowled wood rail.
Another study out of Cal Poly suggests that simply hearing birdsong makes us happy too. It found that people who hear birds singing while they hike have a better time and experience more joy. Other studies have found that being around birds can lower anxiety and depression and that the benefits can last for hours after a single encounter. Psychology Today suggests taking up birdwatching so you get more exercise, see more of our beautiful planet, and find a reason to stop worrying about your problems and focus on something else for a while.
Now that I think about, when I'm upset, my first instinct is to go sit in my chair next to where I keep my ducks and chickens. I actually got angry about something earlier today, and one of my colleagues suggested I have a drink, but my body's almost automatic response was to go for a walk, and that's exactly where I ended up. (Though, I won't lie — a little rum or tequila while I was sitting with the birds would have been nice. Just sayin'.)
So, maybe this is why so many people take up birding when they hit their thirties, forties, and fifties. It's become a middle-aged cliche, a meme even, but the truth is that it probably gives those of us in those age ranges what we need in today's fast-paced world — an excuse to slow down, unplug, and focus our attention on something that doesn't stress us out. I highly recommend it.
