The Nigerian birdwatcher’s circles of hell

On a quiet Sunday morning, a stranger approached the author, a self-proclaimed birdwatching and photography hobbyist, with a curious question: "Are you into architecture?" Upon learning the reality was more prosaic, the stranger's reaction to "birdwatching" was one of apparent disbelief or perhaps disgust. "Isn’t that what ‘Oyinbo people’ do?" he blurted out, revealing a common cultural stereotype.

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I see you on walks around the estate, with a camera. Are you into architecture?

This encounter occurred years after the COVID-19 pandemic prompted a deeper reflection on humanity's place within the broader ecosystem. The author realized he had stumbled into a culturally sensitive area. Months earlier, during a birdwatching excursion outside Lagos, a similar sentiment surfaced. A villager remarked to his companions, "those are members of the bird group," referring to the author's team. While seemingly innocuous, this statement carried a heavier implication in Nigerian culture.

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I’m a birdwatching and photography hobbyist

For many Nigerians, birds and bats are steeped in superstition, often perceived as shape-shifting entities, frequently associated with witches traveling to covens. Consequently, being part of the "bird group" could be interpreted as being connected to malevolent forces. This deep-seated cultural view directly impacts conservation efforts, particularly concerning trees that serve as habitats for birds.

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Birdwatching?! Isn’t that what ‘Oyinbo people’ do?

The author notes that trees harboring birds, especially nocturnal raptors with their distinctive calls, are often targeted for removal. The belief that these calls are omens, linked to misfortunes like a child's death, supersedes any understanding of trees' ecological benefits. This perspective clashes sharply with scientific claims about trees' role in combating climate change, preventing soil erosion, and mitigating flooding. The birdwatcher's efforts to preserve habitats face an uphill battle against these ingrained cultural beliefs.

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