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.
| Scope | Spending on birdwatching: binoculars and spotting scopes, bird feed and feeders, field guides and apps, and guided birding tours. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Travel and Tourism |
| Value 2025 | USD 14.0 bn |
| Value 2026 | USD 14.7 bn |
| Value 2036 | USD 25.1 bn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 5.5% |
| Volume 2026 | 144 million participants |
| Volume 2036 | 202 million participants |
| Average price 2026 | USD 102 per participant |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
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Birdwatching market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Birdwatching market segmentation
By category
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optics and cameras | 24.0% | 23.4% | USD 3.5 bn | 5.2% |
| Bird food and feeders | 40.0% | 35.4% | USD 5.9 bn | 4.2% |
| Guided birding tours and travel | 26.0% | 30.5% | USD 3.8 bn | 7.2% |
| Guides, apps and accessories | 10.0% | 10.7% | USD 1.5 bn | 6.2% |
By participant
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Backyard birders | 58.0% | 52.4% | USD 8.5 bn | 4.4% |
| Dedicated birders | 26.0% | 28.4% | USD 3.8 bn | 6.4% |
| Travel birders | 16.0% | 19.2% | USD 2.4 bn | 7.4% |
By price tier
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | 40.0% | 36.0% | USD 5.9 bn | 4.4% |
| Mid-range | 40.0% | 40.0% | USD 5.9 bn | 5.5% |
| Premium | 20.0% | 24.0% | USD 2.9 bn | 7.4% |
By purchase channel
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Specialty and outdoor retail | 34.0% | 30.0% | USD 5.0 bn | 4.2% |
| Online | 36.0% | 44.0% | USD 5.3 bn | 7.6% |
| Tour operators and lodges | 20.0% | 18.0% | USD 2.9 bn | 4.4% |
| Clubs and reserves | 10.0% | 8.0% | USD 1.5 bn | 3.2% |
By age group
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 35 | 14.0% | 18.0% | USD 2.1 bn | 8.2% |
| 35 to 54 | 30.0% | 30.0% | USD 4.4 bn | 5.5% |
| 55 to 64 | 28.0% | 26.0% | USD 4.1 bn | 4.7% |
| 65 and over | 28.0% | 26.0% | USD 4.1 bn | 4.7% |
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%.
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| # | Country | Value 2026 | Share 2026 | Value 2036 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | USD 5.3 bn | 36.0% | USD 8.8 bn | 5.2% |
| 2 | United Kingdom | USD 1.3 bn | 9.0% | USD 2.1 bn | 4.7% |
| 3 | Germany | USD 882 mn | 6.0% | USD 1.5 bn | 5.1% |
| 4 | Canada | USD 735 mn | 5.0% | USD 1.3 bn | 5.7% |
| 5 | Japan | USD 735 mn | 5.0% | USD 1.1 bn | 4.2% |
| 6 | France | USD 588 mn | 4.0% | USD 979 mn | 5.2% |
| 7 | Netherlands | USD 441 mn | 3.0% | USD 728 mn | 5.1% |
| 8 | Australia | USD 441 mn | 3.0% | USD 804 mn | 6.2% |
| 9 | Sweden | USD 368 mn | 2.5% | USD 603 mn | 5.1% |
| 10 | Brazil | USD 368 mn | 2.5% | USD 854 mn | 8.8% |
| 11 | Spain | USD 356 mn | 2.4% | USD 640 mn | 6.0% |
| 12 | Italy | USD 315 mn | 2.1% | USD 580 mn | 6.3% |
| 13 | New Zealand | USD 276 mn | 1.9% | USD 510 mn | 6.3% |
| 14 | Norway | USD 244 mn | 1.7% | USD 449 mn | 6.3% |
| 15 | Denmark | USD 215 mn | 1.5% | USD 394 mn | 6.3% |
| 16 | Finland | USD 188 mn | 1.3% | USD 347 mn | 6.3% |
| 17 | Ireland | USD 166 mn | 1.1% | USD 306 mn | 6.3% |
| 18 | Switzerland | USD 146 mn | 1.0% | USD 269 mn | 6.3% |
| 19 | Belgium | USD 128 mn | 0.9% | USD 236 mn | 6.3% |
| 20 | Poland | USD 113 mn | 0.8% | USD 208 mn | 6.3% |
| 21 | South Africa | USD 100 mn | 0.7% | USD 183 mn | 6.2% |
| 22 | Mexico | USD 88 mn | 0.6% | USD 173 mn | 7.0% |
| 23 | Colombia | USD 76 mn | 0.5% | USD 153 mn | 7.2% |
| 24 | Austria | USD 68 mn | 0.5% | USD 126 mn | 6.4% |
| 25 | India | USD 60 mn | 0.4% | USD 118 mn | 7.0% |
| Rest of world | USD 989 mn | 6.7% | USD 1.8 bn | 5.9% |
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.
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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