Motivations of Male and Female Shoreline Bird Watchers in New York

Understanding birder motivations is essential for enhancing bird-watching opportunities and experiences. This study seeks to identify motivations for male and female away-from-home birders who reside in New York State and bird watch in shoreline areas. The results of a mail survey of 1,000 bird watchers are presented. Of the 460 respondents to the survey, 84% participated in bird watching in shoreline areas. Principal components and confirmatory factor analyses were used to identify motivational factors for these shoreline birders. Factors related to challenge, enjoying the outdoors, sharing of self, social, spiritual, and intellectual were identified for females, while appreciating birds, sharing knowledge, exploration, companionship, and spiritual were identified for males. Management implications are discussed.