Bird watching tours are a popular form of alternative vacation. Bird watching itself is one of the world's largest hobbies, especially in America, Europe, and Asia. There are actually many different kinds of tours you can take for birdwatching; some mix wildlife viewing in general, while others are primarily dedicated to avians. Here are a few vacation options you'll want to look at if you're considering this:

Wildlife Preserves - tours hosted by wildlife preserves provide great opportunities for bird watching. You'll be able to see the birds in their natural environment, as well as enjoy the spectacle of their interaction with other forms of wildlife in the area. These tours require a sharp eye though, as birds in preserves will usually be viewed from a distance.

Aviaries and Bird Sanctuaries - these are dedicated tours for birdwatchers that take place inside special forms of wildlife preserves that house only birds. These tours are fun because the tours are designed to showcase birds, period. While wildlife preserves show a variety of animals, aviaries showcase birds in huge screen cages, making it easier to see them up close.

Wildlife Bird Watching Tour - these are guided tours through wilderness areas which mostly hold a lot of different indigenous species of birds. They are similar to a trip taken through a wildlife preserve, except that this type of tour actually takes you on an extended jaunt into a jungle, forest, desert, or other area of wilderness. This is a bit uncomfortable if you're not an outdoors type person, but offers birdwatchers one of the most rewarding and personal experiences they can have.

Bird Ecolodges - these are living quarters which can be booked like hotel rooms. What makes them so special is that they are situated in an outdoor area where flocks of birds tend to congregate heavily; allowing the people in the lodge to view the birds to their heart's content. An added feature of the better-designed ecolodges is that their exteriors are built to appear as part of the landscape, so that animals will not be shy of the presence of concrete and steel. While this doesn't work on animals that can detect foreign things by scent, birds are generally fooled by the appearance of an ecolodge, and will actually land within meters of it without alarm.

Annual Conventions - these offer unique opportunities for all bird watchers. Aside from socializing with fellow enthusiasts, some bird watcher conventions are held at times and places that coincide with the migrations of certain birds. Attendees of these conventions often go to them just for the chance to see migrating flocks of birds that they would not see at regular times.