Findings from the first 100 spark bird stories!

The stories from our first 100 Spark Birders are rich with appreciation of the beauty in nature in general and birds in particular. Here are a few important key findings from these first stories:

1. The birds themselves are as mundane as European Starlings, as elusive as owls, and as flashy as American Redstarts and Peregrine Falcons. The Belted Kingfisher and Northern Cardinal are neck and neck for the most common spark bird but the real finding so far is the diversity of spark birds! 

2. Many of us don't have spark birds, we have spark people! Grandparents, parents, teachers, friends - get those feeders up, get that friend out in the field using binoculars, give a field guide as a gift! 

3. The majority of spark bird stories communicate rich interpersonal connections – walks with a grandfather, a shared passion with a spouse, a great middle school science teacher, sustained friendships and mentorships. 

4. Spark bird moments happen across the lifespan from “I was born loving birds, I can’t remember a time I did not love birds” to late life (range = 0-67, mean = 21.7, mode = 10 years of age). 

5. People speak to the importance of field guides, binoculars, bird feeders, their local birding communities, and travel. 

6. Spark bird stories are often characterized by themes of growth, curiosity, and a desire to learn that is often sparked by seeing a particularly interesting behavior or being captivated by sounds. 

7. Birds are clearly instrumental in creating lifelong meaning for our founding spark birders helping them “appreciate the world in a whole different way”. 

The Spark Bird Project Preregistration