21 Business Ideas For Bird Watchers [2024]

Updated: July 28th, 2024

Are you a bird watcher with an entrepreneurial spirit? If you love spending your time observing avian wonders, why not turn your passion into profit? In this article, you'll discover practical business ideas specifically designed for bird enthusiasts like you.

From guided bird watching tours to creating bird-friendly products, there are numerous ways you could transform your hobby into a viable business. Explore these options and see how your knowledge and love for birds could open new doors in 2024. Whether you're looking for a side gig or a full-time venture, the opportunities are plentiful.

For each business idea, we'll show you real-world examples of other bird watcher businesses to help you see what it takes.

Here's the full list:

1. Start a niche blog ($31.5K/month)

Starting a niche blog as a bird watcher can be a fruitful venture. Bird watchers possess unique knowledge and passion that can be shared with an enthusiastic online community. By creating engaging and informative content tailored to bird watching, you could not only supplement your income but also potentially grow it into a full-time business.

Why consider a niche blog?

  • Monetize your passion: By sharing your expert insights, reviews, and tips, you could attract affiliate marketing deals and sponsorships.
  • Engage with like-minded enthusiasts: A niche blog allows you to connect with a dedicated audience, increasing your reach and influence.
  • Flexibility and growth: You could supplement your blog with YouTube videos, collaborations, and even speaking engagements to diversify your income streams.

For more insights, check out niche blog profitability.

How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $650 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

How I Turned A Crappy Idea Into A $3M/Year Business

Starter Story grew to 1.4 million monthly visitors and millions in annual revenue by sharing the stories of entrepreneurs. Pat breaks down the early days and how he grew the business into something that changed his life.

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2. Start a blog ($44.9K/month)

Starting a blog as a bird watcher can be a fantastic way to share your passion for ornithology while supplementing your income. With the widespread interest in blogs and the potential to reach a global audience, blogging offers a flexible and creative outlet to monetize your knowledge and experiences in bird watching. Referencing Optinmonster’s statistics, the sheer volume of blog readers presents numerous opportunities to develop a loyal following and generate revenue through advertising, affiliate marketing, and sponsored posts.

You could also connect with other bird watchers, providing tips, insights, and detailed guides on birding locations, bird identification, and equipment reviews. With a well-defined content strategy and regular posting schedule, your blog could become a trusted resource in the bird-watching community. For more inspiration, visit Starter Story's page on blogging business profitability.

Why start a blog?

  • You could monetize your passion by sharing your bird-watching experiences and expertise with a dedicated audience.
  • Blogging offers the opportunity to build a community, connecting with bird watchers worldwide and creating a loyal readership.
  • This flexible, location-independent business allows you to work from anywhere and set your own schedule, making it an ideal side hustle or full-time endeavor.

How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

How This 28-Year-Old Couple Quit Their Jobs And Make $20K/Month Running A Blog

Learn how one couple created a successful personal finance blog, The Savvy Couple, that now makes over $20,000 per month and has sold thousands of digital workbooks and courses, by focusing on purposeful content and optimizing their ROI with efficient time management.

Read by 28,712 founders

3. Start a newsletter ($213K/month)

Are you a bird watcher looking to turn your passion into a profitable venture? Starting a newsletter could be an excellent way to supplement your income or even launch a full-fledged business. With more than a 50% increase in newsletter readership over the past five years, you have a growing audience eager to learn from your expertise. By curating bird-watching tips, rare sightings, and product recommendations, you could establish yourself as a trusted authority in the bird-watching community.

The possibilities are extensive. You could share firsthand experiences from your bird-watching adventures or interview experts to provide unique insights. For those inclined to take the plunge, check out some tips to get started with your newsletter here.

Why start a newsletter?

  • You can establish yourself as an expert by sharing valuable bird-watching insights, tips, and stories.
  • Newsletters offer a direct line of communication to an engaged audience, making it easier to sell related products or services.
  • The upfront investment is minimal, allowing you to start small and grow your audience organically.

How much you can make: $160 — $4,100,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

How I Started A $36M/Year Stock Market Research Newsletter

Financial media company MarketBeat, founded by Matt Paulson, provides objective financial information and real-time market data to empower individual stock investors to make better trading decisions, generating approximately $8 million in revenue in 2019 and ending the year with over 1.3 million unique email subscribers due to a freemium model with 75% of revenue from advertising and 25% from subscriptions.

Read by 28,523 founders

4. Start a software development agency ($544K/month)

Starting a software development agency as a bird watcher could be an unexpectedly synergistic business venture. With software developers in high demand and businesses constantly looking for custom-built solutions to streamline their operations, you could leverage your analytical skills honed during bird watching to create efficient and tailored software products. Additionally, the flexibility in managing a software development agency could allow you to pursue your passion for bird watching without significant time constraints.

Why start a software development agency?

  • You could capitalize on the high demand for software solutions by businesses, making this a lucrative opportunity.
  • Your keen observation skills, developed through bird watching, could translate well into identifying and solving software challenges.
  • Running a software agency offers the flexibility to balance your passion for bird watching with your business pursuits.

For more insights, visit starterstory.com.

How much you can make: $6,000 — $8,500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

How I Started A $69K/Month Software Agency After A Failed Product Launch

A software agency started by a non-technical founder helps diverse clients with their minimum lovable product, boasting a revenue of over $700,000 this year with a 20% profit margin and a team of 8.

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5. Create an online course ($91.9K/month)

Creating and selling an online course as a bird watcher can be a lucrative way to share your passion and expertise while earning extra income. By developing engaging video lessons on bird watching techniques, species identification, or even photography tips, you could cater to a growing audience eager to learn about birds from the comfort of their homes. With relatively low startup costs and the potential for passive income, launching an online course allows you to reach a wide audience of eager students.

Why start an online course?

  • You could monetize your specialized knowledge with minimal upfront investment.
  • There is a high demand for niche educational content, allowing you to fill knowledge gaps in the bird-watching community.
  • Courses create passive income opportunities, as students can enroll and learn at their own pace.

For more insights, you can explore success stories of online course creators on Starter Story.

How much you can make: $350 — $1,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 88 days (?)

How This 28-Year-Old Couple Quit Their Jobs And Make $20K/Month Running A Blog

Learn how one couple created a successful personal finance blog, The Savvy Couple, that now makes over $20,000 per month and has sold thousands of digital workbooks and courses, by focusing on purposeful content and optimizing their ROI with efficient time management.

Read by 28,712 founders

6. Start an online book store ($37.7K/month)

As a bird watcher, starting an online book store could be a fulfilling way to supplement your income while sharing your passion with others. You could sell a diverse range of bird-watching books, including guides, memoirs, and photographic collections, catering to both novice and veteran bird watchers. This niche market allows you to monetize your expertise, create a community around bird-watching literature, and potentially even self-publish your own work.

Why start an online book store?

  • You could reach a global audience with your curated selection of bird-watching books, attracting fellow enthusiasts from all over.
  • Being a bird watcher gives you the unique perspective to recommend the best and most accurate literature, which helps build trust with your customers.
  • Creating an online store allows you to combine two passions—bird watching and reading—into a sustainable business.

For more information about the costs and benefits of an online book store, visit Starter Story.

How much you can make: $200 — $120,000/month

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

How I Generate $10K/Month As An Indie Writer

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7. Start an inspirational blog ($3.93K/month)

If you love both bird watching and inspiring others, starting an inspirational blog could be a highly gratifying business venture. You could capture and share the peaceful and awe-inspiring moments of bird watching, coupled with motivational quotes and life lessons drawn from nature. With digital tools like WordPress or Medium, it's easy and cost-effective to get started, and over time, you could monetize your blog through ads, sponsored content, and affiliate marketing.

Why start an inspirational blog?

  • You could educate and inspire others by sharing your unique perspective as a bird watcher.
  • You could build a community of like-minded individuals who share your appreciation for nature and positivity.
  • The blog could serve as a platform to make a difference in people's lives while also making extra income.

Check out successful inspirational blogs here.

How much you can make: $1,500 — $5,200/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,175 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

How I Launched A $1.5K/Month Science Box For Kids During COVID-19 Quarantine

College student, Whitney Bowen, launched Fem 'n STEM during the COVID-19 lockdown selling STEM boxes for kids between the ages of 8-12 and has earned $1.5k in monthly revenue within the first month of launch using social media to advertise and using WIX to create an online store.

Read by 7,715 founders

8. Start a sales leads business ($212K/month)

Starting a sales leads business could be an exciting opportunity for bird watchers looking to supplement their income or launch a full-fledged side business. In this role, you would help companies connect with potential customers who are likely to be interested in their products or services. This involves researching, collecting, and verifying data, ensuring its accuracy, which leverages the meticulous observational skills that bird watchers often possess.

Demand for quality leads is consistently high across various industries, making this a valuable and potentially lucrative endeavor. For those who are data-savvy and enjoy the challenge of helping businesses grow, a sales leads business offers a dynamic and rewarding path. You can read more about the profitability of starting a sales leads business on Starter Story here.

Why starting a sales leads business?

  • Utilizes keen observational skills: Just as in bird watching, attention to detail is crucial when generating and verifying sales leads.
  • High demand across industries: Businesses are always looking for quality leads, making this a stable source of income.
  • Flexible and scalable: You can start small and grow your business over time, allowing you to manage your workload and investment.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $1,500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)

How I Created A $5M/Year LinkedIn Marketing Automation Tool

Dux-Soup is a LinkedIn automation tool that helps business owners and sales & marketing professionals generate more leads, increase efficiency, and save time; with over 70,000 users and revenue of nearly $5 million, it offers automated top-of-the-funnel LinkedIn outreach activities, targeted LinkedIn campaigns and multi-touch & personalized LinkedIn drip campaigns for lead generation.

Read by 8,883 founders

9. Become a data recovery provider ($9K/month)

For bird watchers with a knack for technology, starting a data recovery provider business could be a smart move. You could leverage your attention to detail and problem-solving skills to help others retrieve their lost or inaccessible data. As the digital world continues to grow, so does the demand for these crucial services, offering an entrepreneurial bird watcher the opportunity to tap into a niche market with substantial potential.

Imagine coupling your love for bird watching with a profitable side gig in the tech world. The data recovery field offers relatively low competition and the satisfaction of being a digital savior. With numerous online courses and certification programs available, the barriers to entry are lower than you might think.

Why becoming a data recovery provider?

  • You could meet the growing demand as more businesses move to digital platforms.
  • You might find low competition in a high-stakes and rewarding niche industry.
  • You could acquire the necessary skills through accessible online courses and certifications.

Ready to take the plunge? Explore more about the journey with these success stories.

How much you can make: $8,000 — $10,000/month

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

I Built A $1.5M/Year Data Leak Deterrence SaaS

This case study is about a cybersecurity company that developed a state-of-the-art information security solution that deter leaks of sensitive documents and detects leak sources in the case of an incident, with annual turnover of almost $2 million and a patented algorithm that applies invisible anti-leaks marks to documents, making 27,000 copies for every person on Earth.

Read by 3,207 founders

10. Start a travel information business ($871K/month)

Starting a travel information business can be a lucrative venture for bird watchers who have extensive knowledge about various birding spots around the world. By creating engaging content focusing on bird-watching hotspots, migration patterns, and travel tips, you could attract a niche audience of fellow bird enthusiasts. Providing up-to-date information and expert guidance can make your travel information website a go-to resource for anyone planning their next bird-watching trip.

Explore more about starting a travel information business

Why start a travel information business?

  • You could share your passion for bird watching while earning an income by providing valuable travel insights.
  • There's a growing interest in eco-tourism and bird-watching trips that you can tap into.
  • You could build a loyal community of like-minded enthusiasts who rely on your expertise.

How much you can make: $150,000 — $1,600,000/month

How long does it take to build: 300 days (?)

I Started The First Online Travel Agency In Bangladesh And It Now Makes $18M/Year

How a first-time founder grew the first-ever online travel agency in Bangladesh to 700+ airlines and one million-plus hotels worldwide, with a 50% increase in revenue in October 2021 compared to pre-Covid sales and aiming to hit break-even by March 2022.

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11. Start a pet care business ($92.7K/month)

Starting a pet care business can be an excellent way to supplement your income as a bird watcher. Given your expertise in caring for and understanding birds, expanding into pet care allows you to leverage your skills and passion for animals. Whether providing day or night pet care, you're uniquely positioned to cater to bird owners and other pet owners who want specialized, trusted care for their animals.

Why starting a pet care business?

  • Your expertise in bird care gives you a unique edge, attracting fellow bird owners seeking specialized attention.
  • Pet ownership continues to rise, increasing the demand for reliable pet care services.
  • Offering day and overnight care maximizes profit potential by accommodating a variety of pet care needs at different times.

Learn more about starting a pet care business by reading success stories and understanding the pros and cons of the industry on Starter Story.

How much you can make: $8,000 — $250,000/month

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

How These Two Friends Started A $250K/Month Professional Pet Care Business

Woofie's founders share how they launched a pet care business from a $10 dog walk into a company that brought in over $3M in revenue in 2019, offering services such as mobile pet grooming, pet sitting and dog walking, and have expanded their business into franchises.

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12. Start an online gaming business ($208K/month)

Turning your passion for bird watching into a profitable venture can take many forms. One exciting avenue to consider is starting an online gaming business. This business involves creating, marketing, and managing interactive games accessible to a global audience. You could design games featuring bird-related themes, such as bird identification quizzes or adventurous bird-watching expeditions, providing both education and entertainment.

The online gaming market is vast and ever-growing, making it a lucrative opportunity. If you love combining creativity with technology, and have the drive to engage with a global community, this could be the perfect side business or even a full-time entrepreneurial endeavor for you. Learn more about starting an online gaming business and explore the potential benefits here.

Why starting an online gaming business?

  • As a bird watcher, you could blend your interest with game development to create unique, niche content.
  • The global gaming market is continuously expanding, providing a vast audience to target.
  • Outsourcing game development allows you to focus on creativity and marketing, even if you're not a coding expert.

How much you can make: $1,250 — $1,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $3,250 (?)

How long does it take to build: 100 days (?)

How I Started A 1.6K/Month LEGO Reselling Business At The Age Of 14

A high school student turned his love for LEGO into a $1.6k/month business, Summerfield's Toys, by reselling sets online through eBay, BrickLink, and Facebook Marketplace, in addition to buying and reselling brand new sets.

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13. Start a sports consignment business

For bird watchers, starting a sports consignment business can be an innovative way to supplement income and pursue a distinct entrepreneurial path. When not in the field, you could focus on collecting, marketing, and selling sports equipment on consignment, leveraging your networking and organizational skills. This side business allows flexibility in managing inventory and client interactions around your bird-watching schedule, making it a practical and rewarding venture.

Transitioning to a sports consignment business aligns with the analytical skills required in bird watching, such as attention to detail and patience. By tapping into local sports communities or online markets, you could transform this initiative into a profitable endeavor, providing quality equipment to sports enthusiasts while earning a commission.

Why start a sports consignment business?

  • You could leverage your networking skills developed as a bird watcher to build relationships in the sports community.
  • This business offers flexible hours, allowing you to balance consignment operations with your bird-watching activities.
  • With minimal upfront investment, it's a cost-effective way to generate additional income without major financial risks.

Interested in more details about starting a sports consignment business? Explore this in-depth guide on Starter Story.

14. Start a wallet brand ($28.8K/month)

Starting a wallet brand as a bird watcher might initially seem unrelated, but there's significant potential to connect your passion for bird watching with a profitable side business or even a full-time venture. With the wallet market projected to reach $8.78 billion in the near future, there's ample opportunity to tap into this growing industry. By designing wallets with bird-watching themes or incorporating sustainable materials that appeal to nature enthusiasts, you could carve out a unique niche that resonates with fellow bird watchers and eco-conscious consumers alike. For more insights and tips, you can explore successful wallet brand stories on Starter Story.

Why starting a wallet brand?

  • The wallet market is growing, offering substantial profit potential.
  • You could create unique, bird-themed designs that appeal to bird watchers and nature lovers.
  • Combining eco-friendly materials with your passion for bird watching could attract a niche, yet dedicated customer base.

How much you can make: $200 — $60,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

On Acquiring And Scaling To $60K/Month An Everyday Carry Ecommerce Company

Everyman, an everyday carry eCommerce company, has been generating around $60,000 per month in revenue after completing a brand and website revamp last year, with an average of 35% returning customers who spend $50 or more on the site.

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15. Start a referral service business ($32K/month)

As a bird watcher, starting a referral service business is an excellent way to harness your network and knowledge while supplementing your income. By connecting clients with specialized bird-watching guides, equipment providers, or eco-tourism operators, you can create a valuable service that benefits both sides. For each successful match, you can earn a commission, making this a scalable and flexible way to turn your passion for bird watching into a profitable venture. Learn more about how to make a referral service business work for you. Explore the profitability of referral service businesses.

Why start a referral service business?

  • You could leverage your bird-watching network to connect enthusiasts with premium services, earning commissions for each successful referral.
  • This business model offers flexibility, allowing you to start small and grow your network over time without significant upfront costs.
  • Your passion for bird watching means you already understand the needs and preferences of your target audience, giving you an edge in curating top-notch service providers.

How much you can make: $100 — $100,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

How We Developed A $25K/Month Referral Software For Tech Startups

Co-founders of B2B SaaS startup GrowSurf, Derek and Kevin, developed a referral software for tech startups that has brought in around $25k MRR with a 6% monthly growth rate, overcoming generic messaging and a compromised product that wasn't a good fit for anyone.

Read by 7,857 founders

16. Start a poetry business

As a bird watcher, starting a poetry business offers a unique opportunity to meld your passion for avians with the art of words. You can create soothing and evocative poetry inspired by the birds you observe, sharing your intimate connection with nature through custom poems, greeting cards, or even spoken word performances. By offering poetry workshops and readings, you could attract fellow bird watchers and poetry enthusiasts alike, creating a vibrant community around your business.

Imagine using your deep appreciation for birds to craft bespoke poems for special occasions or to publish a poetry book focused on avian themes. Establishing an online presence can help you reach a global audience, allowing your niche poetry to soar far and wide. Check out some poetry business success stories to get inspired.

Why start a poetry business?

  • Your intimate knowledge of birds can serve as a unique inspiration for your poetry, setting you apart from other poets.
  • Poetry workshops and readings can engage a like-minded community, providing an additional revenue stream.
  • A poetry business allows you to combine creativity and entrepreneurship, transforming your passion for words and birds into a sustainable livelihood.

How much you can make: $35,000/month

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

How We Started A $35K/Month Business Writing Personalized Poetry At Events

Haiku Guys & Gals is an entertainment service that writes personalized free haiku for guests at events; since launching in 2013, they've written over 60,000 haikus at over 600 events for a total income of over $600,000.

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17. Start a flexible devices manufacturing business

Starting a flexible devices manufacturing business could be an exciting venture for bird watchers, offering you the chance to blend your hobby with your entrepreneurial spirit. Flexible devices, such as wearable sensors or flexible screens, can be especially useful in modern birdwatching tools and gadgets. By manufacturing these devices, you could potentially solve problems faced by bird watchers while creating a new revenue stream.

Learn more about the startup costs here.

Why consider a flexible devices manufacturing business?

  • You could innovate birdwatching gear, making it more practical and enjoyable.
  • The market for flexible devices is growing, offering plenty of business opportunities.
  • Combining your passion for birdwatching with a manufacturing business could create a fulfilling and profitable venture.

18. Start a government website

Creating a government website as a bird watcher opens up unique opportunities to share your passion while generating income or supplementing your existing earnings. By developing a platform that promotes bird conservation, shares valuable resources, or offers bird-watching tourism services, you could attract funding and support from various government and environmental agencies. This venture not only allows you to pursue entrepreneurial endeavors but also contributes to the community by fostering awareness and protection of bird species.

Why consider a government website?

  • You could secure funding and grants by aligning with government conservation programs focused on bird preservation.
  • You could expand your network and reach a broader audience by collaborating with governmental bodies and environmental organizations.
  • You would be contributing to public education and awareness, promoting bird conservation on a larger scale.

19. Start an online library business

As a bird watcher, starting an online library business offers a unique opportunity to combine your passion for birding with an entrepreneurial venture. By curating a collection of digital books, audiobooks, and media focused on bird watching, you can provide valuable resources to fellow enthusiasts while generating a steady income. Whether it's field guides, ornithology research papers, or bird photography collections, you could build a comprehensive and accessible platform for bird lovers around the globe. For tips on getting started, you can check out this resource on startup costs for an online library business.

Why starting an online library business?

  • It allows you to share valuable bird-watching resources with a global audience, creating a community of like-minded enthusiasts.
  • An online library can provide a passive income stream through subscription fees while contributing to the field of ornithology by making research and literature widely accessible.
  • You could integrate user-friendly features and exclusive content to attract and retain subscribers, leveraging your expertise as a bird watcher.

20. Become a documentary photographer

Becoming a documentary photographer presents an exciting opportunity for bird watchers to turn their passion for avian life into a profitable venture. By capturing stunning images of birds in their natural habitats, you could create a visual narrative that could captivate audiences and raise awareness about bird conservation. All you need is a camera, editing skills, and a keen eye for the perfect shot to get started. For more details, you can visit this link to Starter Story.

Why becoming a documentary photographer?

  • You could monetize your bird-watching hobby by selling photos to nature magazines, websites, and birding organizations.
  • You could raise awareness about environmental conservation through impactful visual storytelling.
  • You could leverage your existing bird-watching skills to identify and capture rare or fascinating bird species, making your work stand out.

How much you can make: $8,300/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 1460 days (?)

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21. Start a volunteer solutions business

Starting a volunteer solutions business could be a rewarding side hustle or full-time endeavor specifically tailored for bird watchers. By leveraging your unique knowledge of bird habitats, behavior, and conservation, you could connect volunteers with meaningful projects that aid in the preservation of avian species and their ecosystems. This business offers multiple streams of income, from organizing bird-watching tours to managing volunteer programs for wildlife conservation efforts.

If you're entrepreneurial-minded and passionate about birds, you might find that turning volunteer coordination into a business aligns perfectly with your interests. For more details on how to start, check out this comprehensive guide here.

Why start a volunteer solutions business?

  • You could turn your passion for bird watching into a profitable venture, helping to fund your ventures and conservation projects.
  • Engaging with volunteers can expand your network and provide valuable resources for bird conservation efforts.
  • By organizing volunteer efforts, you contribute positively to the environment, making a tangible difference in bird conservation.
meet the author
Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.