Birding: Good to know

The early bird catches the worm – especially when it comes to ornithology, the science that deals with the description and study of birds, this proverb couldn’t be more suitable. The bird-watcher is called "ornithologist" in technical language.

Ornithologists are an exotic species because they combine the qualities of both a passionate stamp collector and a wilderness adventurer. If you are spending time with an ornithologist, you quickly get a feeling for the fascination of this interesting science. Some of them are hobbyists, others professional, but all of them love the diversity of birds in their natural habitats.

As soon as a rare species has been sighted, the collector's instinct is awakened and one wants to see more, even rarer species. This can lead to finding the passionate ornithologist in the deepest valleys, on the highest mountains, in the wildest jungle, on the vastness of the oceans, in the eternal ice of the polar caps or in other remote corners of the world, always armed with binoculars and a bird identification book.

Only a few hobbies like "birding", the professional observation of birds, take you deep into nature and around the globe. In addition, it creates an awareness of the importance of nature and species conservation and sharpens one's own senses. Because not every bird species is always easy to recognize and reveals its presence only through fine chants. Thus, not only the trained eye is relevant for birding, but also a sensitive ear, which is able to distinguish and assign different songs from each other.

The advantage of birding is that it can be used almost everywhere without much effort, because birds have been more successful in colonizing almost every habitat on earth than any other group of animals. Whether in the middle of Saharan heat or the bitterly cold Arctic, hardly any habitat is too extreme for the inhabitants of the skies. Due to the pronounced migratory behaviour, some birds even change location over the seasons, which can lead to a species that could still be observed on the North Sea coast in summer suddenly being found in South Africa in winter, where it shares its habitat with the many native and exotic birds.

For those who would like to find an introduction to ornithology and go to a bird sanctuary to do so, there are some simple but important rules to follow that ultimately benefit both humans and animals: The protection of birds and their habitats always comes first, i.e. disturbances or pollution must be avoided urgently. With a little patience you will witness breathtaking natural phenomena and soon you will be able to note down some exotic rarities in your bird book.

For your own well-being it is also important to always have the right clothing with you and to be prepared for changes in weather. Only those who are well prepared for heat, sun, rain or cold can fully enjoy their birding adventure. A sufficient food supply is a must, because those who observe feeding animals for hours will sooner or later become hungry themselves.

For those interested, Natucate offers birding courses in Peru and Southern Africa – regions that are known for their biodiversity and magnificent natural landscapes. Two ideal places to gain your first experience as a real ornithologist.