New report highlights birders’ demographics and economic impact

[Laura Bies]

A recent report from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service report provides economic and demographic information on bird watching in the United States. It is an addendum to the 2022 National Survey of Hunting, Fishing and Wildlife-Associated Recreation.

According to the report, in 2022, there were 96 million birders age 16 years or older in the United States, meaning that over a third of the country’s adult population is made up of birders. For purposes of the report, a birder is someone who has either taken a trip one mile or more from home for the primary purpose of observing birds or closely observed or tried to identify birds around their home. The most common form of birdwatching identified in the report was backyard birding, with 95 percent (91 million) of respondents participating in watching birds at home.

The report provides detailed demographics about birders, including numerous tables and graphics of data. It also addresses the economic impact of birding, reporting that birders spent an estimated $14 billion on their trips and $93 billion on equipment, materials, and land leases/ownership in 2022.

Read or download the report here.

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