According to researchers at Baycrest Hospital in Toronto, birdwatching skills are closely linked to the development of cognitive abilities.
The authors of a new study said that the sharp eyesight, prolonged concentration, and strong memory gained through this hobby are key factors for preserving cognitive function. This development can literally reorganize brain structure and boost mental performance.
In their study, the scientists compared the brain structures of 29 experienced ornithologists with those of 29 novices. Both groups were balanced in terms of gender and age, as reported by Science Focus.
Scans revealed that the brain areas responsible for attention and perception were more compact in the experienced ornithologists. Those structural changes helped them recognize bird species more accurately.
Water molecules in these brain regions were able to move more freely. This likely improved the ornithologists’ identification abilities, making them more effective at spotting less familiar birds.
Previous studies have shown that any form of learning—such as mastering a musical instrument or a new language—is highly beneficial for the brain. Now birdwatching has been added to the list of activities that protect against age-related decline because birdwatching is a complex task.
“Birdwatching constantly demands perception, attention, and memory, so it’s impossible to operate on autopilot. To benefit cognition, activities must be sufficiently challenging, and birdwatching fits that bill,” said Professor Martin Sliwinski, director of the Center for Healthy Aging at the University of Pennsylvania. He was not involved in the study.
“Even experienced ornithologists cannot rely on automatic responses, as the environment and signals are constantly changing, often under conditions of uncertainty and time pressure,” Professor Sliwinski said in an interview with BBC Science Focus.
Moreover, researchers found that these skills and the resulting structural changes could enhance cognitive abilities in older age. The study revealed that older birdwatchers recognized faces better than novices, indicating improved memory.
The results of the study were published in the Journal of Neuroscience.
Photo: pixabay.com
