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 those people consider themselves to be ornithologists if they undertake a scientific study of birds or some aspect of their lives.

Whilst many birders may be of a scientific bent their main motivation is the enjoyment of seeing, watching and often 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.

In the past, and now with citizen science projects, many birdwatcher add 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 in the useful reading section below. I’ve not read a better one than Chris Packham’s.