I define a birder as anyone who actively notices birds.
The birder/birdwatcher distinction is mostly made either by (a) people who started before “birder” was the usual term or (b) people who want to dunk on listers (which is defined as anyone who keeps more lists than you do).
In actual practice, “birder” is a generic term which now encompasses all the different ways a person might be noticing birds, from obsessively counting them to patiently observing their behavior to writing poetry inspired by them. There are no minimum qualifications to call yourself a birder. You’re a birder if you notice birds, and if you’re not too embarrassed to be associated with other birders.
My first trip to South America was on a bird tour with a couple from Europe. They did not approve of bird photography and were quite condescending towards me using my camera to look at a bird instead of my binoculars. I’m above average at getting meaningful photos of obscure birds in dark and overgrown situations, though, so they never missed a chance to look at the back of my camera to take note of the distinguishing characteristics of things like antbirds or tapaculos. Not being much of a wallflower, I pointed this out to them on a few occasions during the trip.
The moral is that, as a birder, it is possible to laugh at those who are laughing at you.
I think the only ones who ever teased me for birding were other biologists who were focused on other “less popular” taxa. Which is fine. I consider myself a generalist so if I focus on birds sometimes, that just reflects my interest at that time.
By friends, family, or others? I think I’m lucky to have been surrounded by mostly wonderful people for most of my life, so not really, no. Those that I can’t persuade of the wonder of the world at least just accept my interests and let me do my thing, and may even help if I need it.
I have been in the same space as noisy people who mocked the idea of an interest in the world (in a prominent nature reserve no less!), but that was an obnoxious person being obnoxious, rather than anything directed at someone specifically.
For the insects however, there have been some remarks from people I have little choice over, who perhaps feel snubbed, but it is what it is and you are who you are.
If you enjoy birding, bird away and enjoy yourself! Why would you choose to do anything else with your life? : )
I remember when the web was all about chat rooms and you had to dial up to get on it. I mostly hung out in the gardeners chat room and whenever someone would come on with a story about some person being rude/hostile/whatever we would say, “Stay here with us. Don’t go on those other chat rooms where people aren’t nice.” There was one time a person came in the gardeners chat room and made some nasty comment and a guy in our chat room who was more computer savvy than most posted and said, “Just ignore that guy. He is one of those transient trollers. He has never posted on our chat room before and probably never will again.” (AKA He’s not one of US. LOL.) This was many years ago (long before I discovered iNat) and it makes me laugh to think about it now! But gardeners are mostly nice people and naturalists are mostly nice people.
Yes, occasionally. Although I am a high school male who is into birding, which is apparently strange for teenagers these days. None of my friends are as into wildlife as I am, except maybe one, but none of them are avid birders. In middle school, that’s all I was known for, and my nickname was bird guy. It’s gotten a bit better, but I don’t think anyone appreciates or will appreciate my love or birds (and bugs, trees, flowers, etc.)
While I can relate to Anna Katrin’s enthusiasm, I do wonder if there is a cause-and-effect relationship here; that is, one reason that many people know so little about nature is that nature enthusiasts aren’t necessarily good at making it accessible.
I tend to lean into it, and I think if you own it instead of acting ashamed then people are less likely to mock you for it. At a museum with friends and I see a chicken in the corner of an art piece? “Hey guys a bird!!” Birds are cool enough that I don’t think you can really go too far in appreciating them anyways. :P
My friends and acquaintences tend to be pretty good-natured about it, and it gets them more excited about birds and makes them more likely to share with me when they take a blurry bird photo and want it ID’d. Seems like a win for everyone; honestly probably my proudest accomplishment in life is that nearly everyone I know appreciates birds more thanks to my existence (similar for cool bugs, but they take a bit more work). Earnest enthusiasm is contagious; eventually most people come around to it if you’re patient haha.
I think I have heard a couple young women say they wouldn’t consider dating a birder. :-/ I’m not sure why, I don’t know why it would take up more time or money than many other hobbies. But if you don’t want to go on a date to see phalaropes at a sewage lagoon then it’s your loss I guess! Phalaropes are awesome.
People tend to be interested when I mention I’m a birder and are generally positive, I have nice bird photos to share and they can see that as something approaching a normal human activity that if not relatable is at least understandable. If you want to watch people get weird and possibly mock you, explain that you’re an amateur entomologist interested in moths and mothing and that you’re always excited to see what new insects might show up by the porch lamps. If you want things to get really awkward, explain that you’re an amateur entomologist working on finding as many varieties of galls and other identifiable plant parasites as you can.
Since our THC legalization, almost entirely from the birds themselves. Otherwise I usually encounter indifference, Like trying to show any photo album. I figured if I am still picking pebbles at the beach, they should have something that stands out. Like sis asks, is it a meteor or a dinosaur bone this time… (subject not necessary) as for the birds, Robins don’t care for THC near their young, (also fall asleep otherwise) Sparrows sometimes do bird pushups, and one yellow finch I thought was singing! was mad at me quite vocal. As for suspicious people, I was thinking something along the lines of …I saw you in the water, no little birdy told me, I was there! Im still disappointed when I miss what color a birds wings (underside) are because I’m looking at settings and not bird.
I’m primarily a fish specialist, but when I’m at school I love getting photos of birds for my photography class. Of course, being in high school I get teased for it. Fortunately it’s mainly from friends, and I think it helps that some of my photos turn out alright. Occasionally I’ll get odd looks from people when I’m in public, but I try not to care unless I am unintentionally blocking the path or something. https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/245249969 https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/251975193
