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Birdwatching Market Size, Share and Forecast 2026-2036

The global birdwatching market is worth USD 14.7 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 25.1 bn by 2036, growing at a 5.5% CAGR. United States is the largest country market and Bird food and feeders is the largest by category segment.

USD 14.7 bnMarket size 2026
USD 25.1 bnForecast 2036
5.5%CAGR 2026-2036
United StatesLargest country

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5 segmentation views25 countries2026 to 2036 yearly forecast

Market overview

The global birdwatching market is worth USD 14.7 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 25.1 bn by 2036, growing at a 5.5% CAGR. United States is the largest country market and Bird food and feeders is the largest by category segment.

ScopeSpending on birdwatching: binoculars and spotting scopes, bird feed and feeders, field guides and apps, and guided birding tours.
IndustryTravel and Tourism
Value 2025USD 14.0 bn
Value 2026USD 14.7 bn
Value 2036USD 25.1 bn
CAGR 2026-20365.5%
Volume 2026144 million participants
Volume 2036202 million participants
Average price 2026USD 102 per participant
Report priceStarts from USD 1,999
PublishedNovember 2026

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Birdwatching market size and forecast, 2026-2036

Exhibit 1The global birdwatching market is forecast to grow from USD 14.7 bn in 2026 to USD 25.1 bn by 2036, a rise of 71%Global market value in USD: 2025 base year, 2026 estimate and forecast to 2036. CAGR 2026 to 2036: 5.5%
Birdwatching market value, 2025 to 2036Market value by year. 2025: USD 14.0 bn; 2026: USD 14.7 bn; 2027: USD 15.5 bn; 2028: USD 16.4 bn; 2029: USD 17.3 bn; 2030: USD 18.2 bn; 2031: USD 19.2 bn; 2032: USD 20.3 bn; 2033: USD 21.4 bn; 2034: USD 22.6 bn; 2035: USD 23.8 bn; 2036: USD 25.1 bn. Compound annual growth rate 2026 to 2036: 5.5%.202514.7 bn202619.2 bn203125.1 bn20365.5% CAGR

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

YearMarket value
2026USD 14.7 bn
2027USD 15.5 bn
2028USD 16.4 bn
2029USD 17.3 bn
2030USD 18.2 bn
2031USD 19.2 bn
2032USD 20.3 bn
2033USD 21.4 bn
2034USD 22.6 bn
2035USD 23.8 bn
2036USD 25.1 bn

Birdwatching market segmentation

By category

Exhibit 2Bird food and feeders is the largest segment by category, with 40.0% of 2026 revenueEstimated share of 2026 global revenue, by category
Birdwatching market share by category, 2026Share of 2026 revenue by category. Bird food and feeders: 40.0%; Guided birding tours and travel: 26.0%; Optics and cameras: 24.0%; Guides, apps and accessories: 10.0%.Bird food and feeders40.0%Guided birding tours and travel26.0%Optics and cameras24.0%Guides, apps and accessories10.0%

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Optics and cameras24.0%23.4%USD 3.5 bn5.2%
Bird food and feeders40.0%35.4%USD 5.9 bn4.2%
Guided birding tours and travel26.0%30.5%USD 3.8 bn7.2%
Guides, apps and accessories10.0%10.7%USD 1.5 bn6.2%

By participant

Exhibit 3Backyard birders adds the most revenue by participant, growing from USD 8.5 bn in 2026 to USD 13.2 bn by 2036Estimated revenue in USD by participant, 2026 and 2036 forecast
Birdwatching market by participant, 2026 and 2036Revenue by participant in 2026 and 2036. Backyard birders: USD 8.5 bn in 2026, USD 13.2 bn in 2036, change +54%; Dedicated birders: USD 3.8 bn in 2026, USD 7.1 bn in 2036, change +87%; Travel birders: USD 2.4 bn in 2026, USD 4.8 bn in 2036, change +105%.20262036 forecastChangeBackyard birders+54%8.5 bn13.2 bnDedicated birders+87%3.8 bn7.1 bnTravel birders+105%2.4 bn4.8 bn

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Backyard birders58.0%52.4%USD 8.5 bn4.4%
Dedicated birders26.0%28.4%USD 3.8 bn6.4%
Travel birders16.0%19.2%USD 2.4 bn7.4%

By price tier

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Budget40.0%36.0%USD 5.9 bn4.4%
Mid-range40.0%40.0%USD 5.9 bn5.5%
Premium20.0%24.0%USD 2.9 bn7.4%

By purchase channel

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Specialty and outdoor retail34.0%30.0%USD 5.0 bn4.2%
Online36.0%44.0%USD 5.3 bn7.6%
Tour operators and lodges20.0%18.0%USD 2.9 bn4.4%
Clubs and reserves10.0%8.0%USD 1.5 bn3.2%

By age group

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Under 3514.0%18.0%USD 2.1 bn8.2%
35 to 5430.0%30.0%USD 4.4 bn5.5%
55 to 6428.0%26.0%USD 4.1 bn4.7%
65 and over28.0%26.0%USD 4.1 bn4.7%

Top 25 countries for birdwatching by revenue

Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 76.0% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 93.3%.

Exhibit 4United States is the largest country market at USD 5.3 bn in 2026, and the three largest countries hold 51.0% of global revenueEstimated 2026 revenue in USD and share of the global market, ten largest countries
Birdwatching market, ten largest countries in 2026Ten largest countries by 2026 revenue. United States: USD 5.3 bn, 36.0%; United Kingdom: USD 1.3 bn, 9.0%; Germany: USD 882 mn, 6.0%; Canada: USD 735 mn, 5.0%; Japan: USD 735 mn, 5.0%; France: USD 588 mn, 4.0%; Netherlands: USD 441 mn, 3.0%; Australia: USD 441 mn, 3.0%; Sweden: USD 368 mn, 2.5%; Brazil: USD 368 mn, 2.5%.United States5.3 bn 36.0%United Kingdom1.3 bn 9.0%Germany882 mn 6.0%Canada735 mn 5.0%Japan735 mn 5.0%France588 mn 4.0%Netherlands441 mn 3.0%Australia441 mn 3.0%Sweden368 mn 2.5%Brazil368 mn 2.5%

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

#CountryValue 2026Share 2026Value 2036CAGR 2026-36
1United StatesUSD 5.3 bn36.0%USD 8.8 bn5.2%
2United KingdomUSD 1.3 bn9.0%USD 2.1 bn4.7%
3GermanyUSD 882 mn6.0%USD 1.5 bn5.1%
4CanadaUSD 735 mn5.0%USD 1.3 bn5.7%
5JapanUSD 735 mn5.0%USD 1.1 bn4.2%
6FranceUSD 588 mn4.0%USD 979 mn5.2%
7NetherlandsUSD 441 mn3.0%USD 728 mn5.1%
8AustraliaUSD 441 mn3.0%USD 804 mn6.2%
9SwedenUSD 368 mn2.5%USD 603 mn5.1%
10BrazilUSD 368 mn2.5%USD 854 mn8.8%
11SpainUSD 356 mn2.4%USD 640 mn6.0%
12ItalyUSD 315 mn2.1%USD 580 mn6.3%
13New ZealandUSD 276 mn1.9%USD 510 mn6.3%
14NorwayUSD 244 mn1.7%USD 449 mn6.3%
15DenmarkUSD 215 mn1.5%USD 394 mn6.3%
16FinlandUSD 188 mn1.3%USD 347 mn6.3%
17IrelandUSD 166 mn1.1%USD 306 mn6.3%
18SwitzerlandUSD 146 mn1.0%USD 269 mn6.3%
19BelgiumUSD 128 mn0.9%USD 236 mn6.3%
20PolandUSD 113 mn0.8%USD 208 mn6.3%
21South AfricaUSD 100 mn0.7%USD 183 mn6.2%
22MexicoUSD 88 mn0.6%USD 173 mn7.0%
23ColombiaUSD 76 mn0.5%USD 153 mn7.2%
24AustriaUSD 68 mn0.5%USD 126 mn6.4%
25IndiaUSD 60 mn0.4%USD 118 mn7.0%
Rest of worldUSD 989 mn6.7%USD 1.8 bn5.9%
Exhibit 5United States and United Kingdom account for 41% of the USD 10.4 bn the market is forecast to add by 2036Forecast revenue added between 2026 and 2036 by country, in USD
Birdwatching market, where the growth to 2036 comes fromRevenue added between 2026 and 2036. Market value 2026: USD 14.7 bn. United States: +USD 3.5 bn; United Kingdom: +USD 761 mn; Germany: +USD 574 mn; Canada: +USD 546 mn; Brazil: +USD 486 mn; 20 other countries: +USD 3.8 bn; Rest of world: +USD 771 mn. Market value 2036: USD 25.1 bn.Market value 202614.7 bnUnited States+3.5 bnUnited Kingdom+761 mnGermany+574 mnCanada+546 mnBrazil+486 mn20 other countries+3.8 bnRest of world+771 mnMarket value 203625.1 bn

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

Competitive landscape

Group 1: Global leaders

  • Swarovski Optik
  • ZEISS
  • Leica Camera
  • Nikon
  • Steiner Optik
  • Celestron

Group 2: Regional and specialist players

  • Vortex Optics
  • Kowa
  • Opticron
  • Bushnell
  • Meopta
  • Hawke Optics
  • Kite Optics
  • Kaytee

Group 3: Emerging and niche players

  • Wild Birds Unlimited
  • Rockjumper Birding Tours
  • Birdquest
  • Maven Optics
  • Nocs Provisions
  • Droll Yankees
  • Field Guides Birding Tours
  • Victor Emanuel Nature Tours

Research methodology

Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the birdwatching market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.

The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 5.5% is calculated from the resulting values.

The market is divided by category, by participant, by price tier, by purchase channel, by age group. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.

Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.

Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.

Read the full research methodology

Frequently asked questions

How big is the birdwatching market?

The global birdwatching market is estimated at USD 14.0 bn in 2025 and USD 14.7 bn in 2026.

How fast will the birdwatching market grow?

It is forecast to reach USD 25.1 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 5.5% from 2026, an increase of USD 10.4 bn.

Which country is the largest market for birdwatching?

United States is the largest market by revenue at USD 5.3 bn in 2026, 36.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 51.0%.

Which country is growing fastest?

Among the ten largest markets, Brazil is growing fastest at 8.8% a year from 2026 to 2036.

Which birdwatching segment is largest?

In the by category split, Bird food and feeders is the largest segment with 40.0% of 2026 revenue.

Who are the leading birdwatching companies?

Global leaders include Swarovski Optik, ZEISS, Leica Camera, Nikon.

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