How birding really can change the brain and boost cognition, surprising new study finds

A new study published in the Journal of Neuroscience suggests that birding can alter the brain's structure and function, potentially enhancing cognition even as you age. The Canadian study of 58 adults found that expert birders had more dense brain tissue in areas related to attention and perception, which may indicate increased communication between neurons. These structural differences were associated with more accurate bird identification. The study suggests that birding may support brain health in older adults, although it does not prove that birding prevents cognitive decline.