Actually, bird photographers are not called birders. We are called bird photographers, or wildlife photographers.

If you talk to a birder, most do not take pictures of them or if they do, it's only to document the sighting and not to get a nice photo. They are really into knowing a birds habitat, it's call, their habits, their scientific names, just about everything. Most bird photographers will photograph a bird from each angle, in good and bad light and try to get just the right shot so that it's very pleasing in appearance when viewed on a computer or in a frame. Most birders do NOT like bird photographers. Bird photographers don't mix well with birders. I feel that most are snobbish, they make too much noise when they see a bird, and many lead large groups of other birders that are a bit disruptive. At the same time, when a bird is discovered that has some photographic appeal, too many disruptive photographers show up and ruin opportunities for other photographers. We found a nesting Bald Eagle pair recently and some jerks flew drones up to the nest. Some photographers tried to get closer by going on the other side of the fence. Some were parking their cars in the middle of the highway and causing a huge danger to other motorists. Ugh! That's the way people are!

Actually, bird photographers are not called birders. We are called bird photographers, or wildlife photographers.

If you talk to a birder, most do not take pictures of them or if they do, it's only to document the sighting and not to get a nice photo. They are really into knowing a birds habitat, it's call, their habits, their scientific names, just about everything. Most bird photographers will photograph a bird from each angle, in good and bad light and try to get just the right shot so that it's very pleasing in appearance when viewed on a computer or in a frame. Most birders do NOT like bird photographers. Bird photographers don't mix well with birders. I feel that most are snobbish, they make too much noise when they see a bird, and many lead large groups of other birders that are a bit disruptive. At the same time, when a bird is discovered that has some photographic appeal, too many disruptive photographers show up and ruin opportunities for other photographers. We found a nesting Bald Eagle pair recently and some jerks flew drones up to the nest. Some photographers tried to get closer by going on the other side of the fence. Some were parking their cars in the middle of the highway and causing a huge danger to other motorists. Ugh! That's the way people are!

I am both a Birder and a Bird Photographer. The two hobbies fit well together. However I met two young German men who claimed to be birders. Equipped with D5s and long lenses who were dashing through the Southeast Arizona hot spots taking pictures of everything wearing feathers. When I asked if they had seen anything interesting they said they didn't know. They would wait until they got home, review the pictures to identify the birds and add them to their life list. I don't know what they were but I can say with authority they were neither Birders or Bird Photographers.