Birdwatching is about a lot more than just passing the time. In fact, it’s an activity that might actually change the structure and function of your brain. Can you tell a curlew from a whimbrel, or a redwing from a songthrush?
New research published in the Journal of Neuroscience suggests that if the answer is yes, your brain might be in better shape than you think.
The study investigated the brain structures of 58 adults: 29 skilled bird ID experts of all ages were matched with 29 birdwatching novices, to see where the differences in their brains lay. Compared to their novice counterparts, the experts showed more gradual increases in age-related decline. Regions of the brain that are involved in attention and perception showed structural modification in the experts. The tissue was denser in these areas, which may indicate increased communication between neurons.
Learning a new activity increases neuroplasticity, which creates structural and functional brain changes. Erik Wing from Canada’s York University sought to find out whether birding shapes the brain.
The participants came from local birdwatching and outdoor clubs, similar in age, gender and education. They were shown the image of a bird, and thenhad to identify the same bird from a line-up of similar-looking species.
The experts were unsurprisingly more skilled at identifying the birds, which reflected the increased activity in three brain processes, which are involved in visual processing, attention and working memory (memory used over shorter time periods). These areas were found to be structurally denser and more complex.
While the structural complexity and organisation of the brains of the older participants was diminished, the change was less pronounced in the birdwatching experts. This could indicate a potential reduction in age-related decline.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your binoculars – and get outside!
Top image credit: Getty Images
