Birds Strengthen American Communities
Nearly 100 million Americans are birdwatchers, more than a third of the adult U.S. population. No other outdoor recreational activity brings together so many people from multiple regions and demographics. And having data from a broad range of participatory scientists can power up conservation programs. The benefits of birding go beyond recreation—to supporting local economies, to uniting Americans across the outdoors spectrum, and to boosting their mental health. Restoring bird populations and addressing causes of their declines therefore benefits millions of Americans.
Birding Is Big Business
Key economic indicators show the importance of birding to the American economy.
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$108 billion
Total annual amount spent on birding trips (such as food and lodging) and equipment (such as bird seed and binoculars).
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1.4 million jobs
Total jobs related to birding trip and equipment expenditures, which generated more than $90 billion in labor income.
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$38 billion
Total annual tax revenue generated by birding activity:
$7 billion in county taxes
$9 billion in state taxes
$22 billion in federal taxes
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$279 billion
Total annual economic output generated by birder expenditures.
Source: Birding in the United States: A Demographic and Economic Analysis; Addendum to the 2022 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Birds are a Shared Passion with Hunters and Anglers
Whether their preferred outdoors pursuit involves hook, bullet, or binoculars, large shares of the American sporting public enjoy and care about birds.
58% of anglers are birders
53% of hunters are birders
Source: Unpublished results from 2022 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation. Lord, John, and Leonard, Jerry.