Birds are back. I don’t mean in a migratory sense; I mean in popularity. Since 2020, birding has been on the rise and has proved to be more than a fad. Everyone I chat with these days seems to be captivated by corvids, wowed by wood ducks, and obsessed with owls.
There’s no end to research and articles touting the mental and physical health benefits of simply being outdoors or going for a hike. But even beyond that, listening to birdsong—including when it’s recorded—seems to have additional positive effects on wellness.
Part of the appeal of birding may be the very low barrier to entry—you don’t need anything more than to go outside to observe birds. And if you want help identifying them, the Merlin Bird ID app by Cornell Lab is where you should start.