The Healing Power of Birds
Recent scientific studies provide convincing evidence that link listening to bird
song and birdwatching to amazing health benefits!
As you walk outside this month, you may notice that migrating birds are arriving in significant numbers. You may not see them, but you will hear them! They waste no time in finding a suitable spot to perch and begin singing. Singing is away of advertising for a mate and establishing one’s territory. Summer is short in Alberta, so birds are belting it outin our local forests, fields and urban areas. This is a concert you don’t have to pay to listen to, and it provides incredible benefits to human mental well-being.
Chipping Sparrow Singing, by K.R. Schwengler
The Benefits of Bird Song
Several studies on the effects of bird song have shown how bird song (especially when there are several types of birds singing) can reduces anxiety, lower cortisol levels, reduce blood pressure, improve mood and reduce depression1. After a long, depressing winter, this is great news! Listening to birds can literally lift the dark clouds of winter depression! Some scientists theorize that we respond to bird song this way because our ancestors spent most of their time in nature and when bird sang, it meant that no predators were lurking around, so our ancestors could relax and not worry about being eaten.
The Benefits of Birding
Birding – the act of actively observing and listening to birds in their natural habitat while trying to identify their species – is gaining in popularity, even with our younger generations. It’s a great way to explore your local surroundings or enjoy different parts of our province or country, while meeting like minded people and spending time in nature. My son has recently started birding with his friends, who agree that birding reduces their anxiety and makes them “forget” about their problems. A new study has just been published which links birding to a reduction in dementia! According to the study, engaging in the complex task of identifying birds by sight and sound improves neural plasticity and may reduce age related brain decline!2
With so many benefits, birding or listening to bird songs can add serious health benefits to your daily life!
Birding in early May at the north shore of Buck Lake, Alberta.
Want to Learn More About Birding as a Hobby with Health Benefits?
We are hosting our 9th annual Eagle Point Bird Count on Saturday, May 9. This is a
global effort to identify and count as many species of birds as we can in 24 hours. If you are already a birder and you want to volunteer, please sign up for a minimum of 15 minutes. You can count in your backyard or neighbourhood!
If you are new to birding, but would like to “try” it out, you can join our knowledgeable birding guides on the free Bird Tour, beginning at Hilltop Trails trailhead, above Willey West Campground, at 7:30 am on May 9. We stop at several locations before
wrapping up our tour at Buck Lake Provincial Park.
Last year, we had a record 111 species with the help of over 30 volunteers. Some of the bird species we may see are peregrine falcons and other amazing raptors, a variety of swallow species, flycatchers, water birds, sparrows, chickadees, nuthatches, woodpeckers, meadowlarks, vireos, warblers, blackbirds, corvids, tanagers and many more! You can join for the tour for an hour, or join for the day! Register on our website
at www.epbrparkscouncil.org/event/bird-count-2026/
