What does "birdwatching" mean?

Observing or identifying wild birds in their natural environment.

What is a synonym for "birdwatching"?

Common synonyms include: birding.

noun, slang

noun, slang ·3 syllables ·Moderate ·College level

Noun

1
Observing or identifying wild birds in their natural environment. uncountable
2
The hobby of watching rocket launches. slang, uncountable
"In fact, on this night, the birdwatching is over for everyone, for the firing is cancelled. Nobody notifies birdwatchers officially, of course, so the exodus is scattered and gradual."
3
Girlwatching slang, uncountable
"By the spring of 1968, they were the secular-singing O'Kaysion, and they had recorded a leering lyric about ogling babes for the peewee Northstate label. Local DJs, appreciating that bird-watching was a popular pastime for their listeners, rode the number as if it had a satin saddle."

"Trying to do stellar observations from Earth is like trying to do birdwatching from the bottom of a lake."

From bird + watching.