🐦2.6 Cultural Differences in Birdwatching (My Perspective)

Birdwatching, while sometimes competitive (birding competitions), is primarily a hobby driven by passion. Most birdwatchers willingly share information and experiences to help others. When a rare bird appears, both domestic and international birders are eager to share its location. If someone fails to see the bird, others often share their disappointment. This spirit of cooperation allows birdwatchers to quickly integrate into different birding communities worldwide. In this sense, birdwatching is a universal "language."

However, differences exist due to varying development timelines. Birdwatching in China started relatively late, with a younger demographic. Most Chinese birding groups consist of students, whereas foreign birders tend to be older. As a result, traditional birdwatching is more common abroad, with older birders using binoculars. Many foreign birding videos show elderly individuals steadily holding binoculars in the forest. In contrast, Chinese birders frequently use cameras for photography.

Unfortunately, a minority of photographers, both in China and abroad, prioritize clear and aesthetically pleasing images at the expense of ethics. Some use baiting or disturbance, repeatedly harassing birds and even causing their deaths. Birdwatching and bird photography are interconnected—when encountering beauty, the desire to capture it is natural. However, the core of birdwatching is respect and love for nature. Any actions that harm birds for personal gain contradict this principle. Such behavior is not birdwatching, and those who engage in it are not birdwatchers. Photos obtained through these means are like hats adorned with egret feathers—a reminder of the cruelty behind them.