EASTSTAR Field Notes
U.S. Birding Statistics
Nine useful facts about birding participation, spending, and economic impact in the United States.
Last updated September 8, 2026. The latest nationwide federal survey data covers 2022.
Browse the factsAt a glance
Birding is a major part of life outdoors.
Birding happens in backyards, parks, wildlife refuges, and on trips across the country. The figures below come from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's latest nationwide analysis of birding, based on its 2022 recreation survey.
The survey changed its method in 2022, so the agency advises against treating these figures as a direct trend comparison with earlier surveys. Each fact below is labeled with its data year and source so it can be quoted clearly.
01
96 million
people in the U.S. took part in birding in 2022.
That equals 37% of Americans age 16 and older.
Source: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 2022 data02
91 million
people watched birds around their homes in 2022.
Backyard birders made up 95% of all birders counted in the federal survey.
Source: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 2022 data03
43 million
people traveled at least a mile from home to watch birds in 2022.
Birding reaches well beyond the backyard, into parks, refuges, and travel destinations.
Source: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 2022 data04
$107.6 billion
was spent on birding activities in the U.S. in 2022.
The estimate includes equipment, land, and trip-related spending.
Source: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 2022 data05
$93 billion
of 2022 birding spending went to equipment and land.
This included items such as birdhouses, binoculars, cameras, and land purchases.
Source: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 2022 data06
$14.5 billion
was spent on birding trips in 2022.
Trip spending includes food, lodging, and transportation.
Source: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 2022 data07
$279 billion
in total economic output was supported by birding activity in 2022.
This figure reflects the wider effect of birding-related spending across the economy.
Source: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 2022 data08
1.4 million
jobs were supported by birding activity in 2022.
The economic impact extends from outdoor recreation to tourism, retail, and related services.
Source: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 2022 data09
7.5 billion
days were spent birding in the U.S. in 2022.
The survey counted both backyard observation and birding away from home.
Source: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 2022 dataMethodology & sources
Where these figures come from.
Every statistic on this page comes from U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Birding in the United States: A Demographic and Economic Analysis, published November 19, 2024. The report analyzes birding responses from the 2022 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation.
The figures refer to U.S. residents age 16 and older unless the source notes otherwise. EASTSTAR has not changed the agency's estimates or calculated new totals from them.
Cite this page
Make the source easy to find.
Suggested citation: EASTSTAR. "U.S. Birding Statistics: 9 Facts on Participation and Spending." Updated September 8, 2026. https://eaststartriumph.store/birding-statistics
For the underlying research, cite the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service report linked with each statistic.
Wildlife, worn your way