Birders & Ornithologists

Hobbyist or Scientist?

The general public can probably see little difference between birders and ornithologists and, in the UK at least, probably think of them all as ‘twitchers’. There is, of course, no reason why you can’t be both and some are but, generally speaking, people consider themselves to be ornithologists if they undertake the scientific study of birds or some aspect of their lives. There are professional ornithologists, but, historically, most of the great men and women of ornithology were amateurs, but were no less rigorously scientific than today’s professionals.

Whilst many birders may be of a scientific bent their main motivation is the enjoyment of seeing, watching or photographing birds in the wild. Many are full on fanatics, others mildly interested or keen to know the names of the birds they see when enjoying the countryside or feeding them in their own back yards. Some chase new birds like the collectors of old; some chase that transcendent photograph, and others merely enjoy being amongst nature.

In the past, and now with citizen science projects, many birdwatchers have added to the knowledge of birds and their behaviour.

Whatever they consider themselves to be, they are birdmen and birdwomen and many have written biographies of some notable ornithologists and birders – some of my favourites are in the useful reading section below. I’ve not read a better one than Chris Packham’s autobiographical ‘Fingers in the Sparkle Jar’.

While ornithologists undoubtedly do add to the body of knowledge about birds, for me the most important people out there are those who are bringing nature in general, and birds in particular to the public’s attention. Columnists like Al Batt or the great environmental advocates like George Monbiot bring nature, and threats to it, to the public’s attention. Great explainers like Chris Packham, bring us the beauty of the science. But for me, the greatest of all are those who bring the stories of nature to life in their documentaries, like the wonderful David Attenborough. We desperately need people like Hamza Yassin, whose enthusiasm and love for nature positively exude from every pore of his being, when filming nature in the wild and bringing it into our living rooms.