Your Next House May Be a Birdhouse

Sunday, June 14, 2026

Bird-watching in the U.S. has grown significantly since the Covid-19 pandemic, with 59 million households now maintaining bird-feeding setups and spending billions annually on related products. This rise reflects increased interest from younger audiences and integrates technology and citizen science, although experts caution about potential risks to bird health and behavior from supplemental feeding.

Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, bird-watching has surged in popularity across the United States, attracting a younger audience and driving increased sales of related products such as feeders, birdhouses, and bird baths. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, approximately 59 million American households now have setups to attract finches, warblers, and other bird species.

Spending on bird food alone reaches around $4 billion annually, and market forecasts suggest that demand for feeding and watering supplies could grow from $2 billion in 2025 to $2.9 billion by 2035, according to Future Market Insights, a market research firm. Retailers like Ace Hardware have noted this rising demand since the pandemic began, leading to an expanded range and quantity of birding products. Fabiana Titone, who manages birding product offerings at Ace Hardware, identified hummingbird feeders, squirrel-resistant models, and easy-to-clean designs as particularly popular items.

Experts also highlight technological trends within the hobby. Olivia Sanderfoot, an ornithologist at Cornell University, noted the growing use of feeders equipped with cameras, which allow bird enthusiasts to observe and record avian visitors more closely. She also expects that concerns about climate change will lead to increased installation of bird baths in residential yards.

Digital tools have further enhanced engagement in bird-watching. The Merlin ID app, developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, aids users in identifying bird species and their calls, while participatory citizen science initiatives like Project FeederWatch provide accessible ways for people to contribute to bird monitoring efforts. Dr. Sanderfoot pointed to these programs as significant factors in broadening interest in the activity.

While many participants enjoy bird-watching for recreational and aesthetic reasons—feeder setups often serve as decorative elements in gardens and backyards—there is also an environmental dimension. Lisa Myers, owner of Los Gatos Birdwatcher in California, emphasized that providing bird feeders can help mitigate the effects of habitat loss. “We’ve changed the landscape so much with our communities and our houses and removing native plants,” Myers said. “By putting in a bird feeder, it’s rewarding to know we’re helping native birds raise future birds in a landscape that we all share.”

However, experts caution that feeding birds is not without potential drawbacks. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Audubon Society warn that supplemental feeding can pose risks, such as spreading disease, disrupting natural breeding and migration patterns, and increasing vulnerability to predators.

Despite these concerns, the growth in birding as a pastime reflects a shift in outdoor recreation preferences since the pandemic, combining enjoyment, community science, and environmental stewardship.