Dating looks wildly different than it did just a few years ago. Premium dating apps are losing their shine, speed dating has staged an ironic comeback, and young singles are ditching traditional nightlife in favor of something much more unexpected: birdwatching.

Yes, birdwatching. Once considered a quiet retirement hobby, it's fast becoming the low-cost, high-connection activity for Millennials and Gen Z looking for love—and it's no fluke.

From the Singles Tax to Smart Dating

Let’s face it: dating can be expensive. With rising rent, inflation, and the so-called "singles tax" – the financial burden of living alone without a partner to split costs— young singles are facing a rough economic reality.

Paying for dating apps, overpriced drinks, or costly first dates is becoming less appealing and less sustainable. Today’s daters want value and authenticity over a night out they have to finance.

It’s also no wonder why countries like the U.S. are experiencing what many experts are calling a “romance recession.” According to the American Survey Center, rates of romantic partnership, sex, and even dating itself have seen significant declines, with loneliness and isolation on the rise among younger generations. I know I’ve felt and seemingly all of my friends do, too. When traditional paths to connection feel inauthentic, new approaches emerge.

Enter: birding.

It’s completely free, offers built-in conversation starters, and happens in some of the most calming, scenic spots your city has to offer. No swiping. No awkward check-splitting. Just you, some views, and the potential for real connection.

Wellness-Driven Dating for a Health Obsessed Generation

According to recent studies, including one from Lebanon Valley College, 84% of Gen Z acknowledges the national mental health crisis and prioritize emotional wellness early in dating. Activities that naturally create opportunities for mindful conversation like birdwatching offer a built-in avenue for emotional safety and vulnerability.

Birdwatching is also soothing for the nervous system, helping to calm first-date jitters. It activates the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting a sense of presence and ease.¹ For those who suffer from social anxiety, this slower, quieter pace can be a lifeline especially as nearly one in three Gen Z adults now report experiencing symptoms of anxiety, a rate that has sharply increased since the COVID-19 pandemic due to prolonged isolation and digital dependence.²

Birdwatching, by contrast, is full of gentle distractions that can ease pressure. For newcomers apps like Sparkbird are a perfect companion. Sparkbird helps users identify birds in real time, track sightings, and learn more about local species, making it easy to stay engaged with both the activity and your date. It may just spark more than one interest—romantic and avian alike.

Low-Stakes, High-Reward

One of the biggest challenges Gen Z and Millennials face in dating is conversation. Years of text-based communication and algorithmic social media interactions have dulled the art of in-person connection. When liking a cute post can be misread as too bold, and texting has become the default form of flirting, many feel lost in the world of face-to-face interaction.

Birdwatching, by contrast, is full of gentle distractions that can ease pressure. You don’t have to perform. You don’t have to plan a perfect outfit or rehearse your best date stories. You just have to show up, look around, and see what happens. The birds do most of the work.

The New Way to Flirt

Just like coffee walks and museum meetups, birdwatching offers a shared experience that encourages curiosity, attentiveness, and slow-burn connection. It checks all the boxes:

• Affordable: No expensive drinks or cover fees.
• Wellness-aligned: Connects people to nature and mental health.
• Community-oriented: Many birdwatching meetups attract like-minded singles.
• Conversation-friendly: Built-in topics make it easier to break the ice.
• No Gendered Dating Norms: Just show up and be yourself.

Birdwatching has a magical way of drawing out our playful side. One moment you’re identifying a red-winged blackbird, and the next, you and your date are naming it Larry and scripting a full-blown bird soap opera about his complicated love triangle with a sassy cardinal and a suspiciously quiet dove. These little moments of silliness often pave the way for real connection—the kind that doesn’t come from swiping. And who knows? Maybe someday, at your wedding, your partner will raise a glass and say, “You were my real spark bird all along.”

So if you're looking for a dating trend that's good for your wallet, your mind, and your heart, download Sparkbird and head to your nearest park. Better yet, check out a local birdwatching dating group in your area. Boston is currently hosting a singles bird watching meetup where you can connect over shared sightings and shared values. Maybe bird watching might just be the trend you need.

Footnotes

1. M. Nils Peterson, Lincoln R. Larson, Aaron Hipp, Justin M. Beall, Catherine Lerose, Hannah Desrochers, Summer Lauder, Sophia Torres, Nathan A. Tarr, Kayla Stukes, Kathryn Stevenson, Katherine L. Martin, Birdwatching linked to increased psychological well-being on college campuses: A pilot-scale experimental study, Journal of Environmental Psychology, Volume 96, 2024, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2024.102306. ↩

2. https://nationalsocialanxietycenter.com/2024/08/19/social-anxiety-in-generation-z ↩