Perceptions about bird feeders for free-living birds: implications for birdwatching tourism in Brazil.

Abstract

Birdwatching is constantly increasing in Brazil, which favors avitourism, a well-established ecotourism segment in this country. In the last years, bird feeders for free-living birds have been considered useful for ecotourism enterprises, because bird encounters are facilitated and may attract new birders customers. However, because all knowledge of negative impacts caused by bird feeders are from studies performed abroad, and some Brazilians argue that social positive impacts are prominent, bird feeders are considered a critical subject in Brazil. Thus, this study accessed the perception of different Brazilian enthusiast for free-living birds regarding the use of bird feeders. To do so, a semi-structured questionnaire containing open and closed questions was applied between July/2020 and January/2021, focusing citizens from South, Southeast and Northeast Brazil. In total, 416 citizens answered the questionnaire, in which 41.5% was considered ‘bird enthusiast only - profile 1’, 45.6% ‘familiar with birdwatching, but without prior training on ornithological/ecological subjects - profile 2’ and 12;7% ‘familiar with birdwatching, but with prior training on ornithological/ecological subjects - profile 3’. Yet, 58.4% declared have bird feeders at home while 41.5% did not. The results pointed out that, regardless of the profile, most of the responders showed prone to perceive potential positive impacts caused by bird feeders (i.e., environmental education and possible benefit for the preservation of natural areas) while negative impacts where not easily recognized (i.e., spreading pathogens and attracting non target animals). Most part of the responders also showed preferences for bird feeders made with natural materials rather than industrialized. The public from profile 1 showed a propensity to pay lower amounts to a bird guide when compared to the public in profiles 2 and 3. All profiles answered that would pay similar amount (R$50,00) to the enterprise that offers the birdwatching tour having a bird feeder as part of the tourism attraction. This study brings data that may help decision in planning birdwatching tours in ecotourism enterprises intended to receive different bird enthusiast, especially within the region that comprises the Atlantic Forest biome in Brazil.