In the emergency department we rely heavily on our powers of observation, whether it is the subtle smell of DKA or the look of fear in a patient’s eyes. We also are experts at taking a broad differential and narrowing it down to a few manageable options with only a snapshot of interaction. In my experience, our group tends to be curious and open to learning new skills. This is the perfect recipe for a fledgling birder! You can fine-tune your observation in noting subtle feather shades and patterns; you can recognize the wing shape of an undifferentiated warbler and then deduce your way down to a specific species; you can readily delve into the cornucopia of flight patterns, song sonograms, and unique behaviors with gusto. We learn new skills all the time for our jobs, maybe it’s time to learn a new skill for a wholesome hobby? 

What might you need to get started? Most people use binoculars, although you can bird with the naked eye if so inclined. If you want binoculars, you don’t need anything fancy, but a wide field of view and something like 8x or 10x magnification will make it easier to find the bird through a lens. Then, simply download the free Merlin Bird ID app (a wonderful resource made by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology) and you will be able to identify birds with ease using its sound ID feature, a photo, or by answering a few quick questions. If you already have done all that and are hungry for more, the next step is exploring the extensive data available at ebird.org to seek out local hotspots and interesting birds seen in your area. 

So the next time you travel to a conference, pack some binoculars. The next time you walk outside, take notice of how many different species you can see and hear. Whether it is a form of peaceful solitude or engaging with the larger birding community, embracing birding can bring you a multitude of benefits.

Dr. Prats is an associate professor of emergency medicine at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and runs the Ultrasound GEL podcast that reviews articles in point-of-care ultrasound.