Couples and avitourism : a mixed methods study of North American birdwatchers

The observation of birds for recreation is popular throughout much of the world. However, most birders reside in the United States of America (USA), constituting an important leisure and tourism market. Through a mixed methods approach utilising both surveys and interviews, this thesis explored the leisure and travel activities of the heterosexual birding couple. The results demonstrated that participants shared an identity around birding, and that the couple relationship was more important than the activity, particularly to men. The thesis also discusses the ramifications for birding organisations, bird tour operators and the concept of ‘serious’ leisure.