In medical school, Dr. Jamalyaria learned the upper Texas coast is known for some of the best birding in the country. In spring, many birds migrate between their winter homes in Central and South America to the northern U.S. and Canada, passing through Houston in April and May.
“I’ve always been a runner and like to run through natural areas, which lends itself well to seeing different species of birds,” Dr. Jamalyaria says. “On weekends, I’ll go hiking or running, and while I don’t always go specifically to see birds, it’s a great side benefit of spending time in nature.”
Combining Activities
TOP: One of Dr. Jamalyaria’s watercolors.
BOTTOM: Dr. Jamalyaria on one of his birding trips in front of a sign in a Texas state park. The sign has a photograph of Dr. Jamalyaria on it taken by Texas Parks & Wildlife when he first started birding.
Photo by Christine Casas, MD
Dr. Jamalyaria says birding is a well-suited addition to outdoor physical workouts, such as running, cycling or hiking. He often wears a small pair of binoculars around his waist while running and although he used to take written notes on bird species he saw, he has found the eBird app offers a more thorough way to track his sightings.
“I’ve probably seen close to 800 different bird species since I first started birding,” he says. “I’ve also met many other birders, most of whom are very warm and engaging. Some are casual, others are serious list keepers and some take high-quality photos of the birds they encounter.”
In addition to birding in Texas and western North America, Dr. Jamalyaria has also explored the lowlands and highlands of Costa Rica, Andean cloud forests, the upper Amazon Basin, the Yucatan Peninsula, central Mexico, Fiji and New York City’s Central Park, which he calls “one of the best birding hotspots in North America.”
“[Although] you can certainly see different species of birds when you travel, one doesn’t need to take a trip to enjoy birding,” Dr. Jamalyaria says. “It’s an unusually accessible hobby that can be practiced anywhere on Earth, including in one’s own backyard.”
Over the years, Dr. Jamalyaria has taken his birding to the next level by learning the songs of many species. He often listens to Peterson Field Guides CDs on his drives to and from work.
“Since learning these songs, I’ve been able to identify hidden birds that would have puzzled me in the past,” he says. “Now that I’m familiar with aural birding, every time I hear an unfamiliar birdcall, it presents a potential puzzle to solve.”
Dr. Jamalyaria also sees similarities between birding and rheumatology.
“Once in a while, one encounters a bird that, because of unusual plumage or behavior, can’t be identified, at least initially,” he says. “The same holds true in rheumatology: Once in a long while, you’ll encounter a patient who can’t be given a precise diagnosis, at least initially. In birding and medicine, it’s important to know common species and diseases well, respectively, to be able to sniff out the rare ones.”
‘In birding & medicine, it’s important to know common species and diseases well, respectively, to be able to sniff out the rare ones.’ —Dr. Jamalyaria
Hobbies Help Relieve Stress
When he’s not seeing patients in his full-time rheumatology practice, Dr. Jamalyaria enjoys writing essays, playing classical guitar, and drawing and painting. He’s found that in addition to birding, having a wide array of creative pursuits helps him to combat stress.
“As physicians, we have hectic, high-stress jobs that take place in bland, fluorescent-lit, rectangular rooms,” he says. “To go out into nature on the weekends is to experience the opposite of this sensory deprivation: relatively quiet, subtle, colorful environments with complex, fractal shapes everywhere.”
On his blog, Dr. Jamalyaria writes essays on such topics as learning, medicine and natural history, and posts some of his drawings and watercolors.
“I’ve always enjoyed art. During residency, I began learning to draw using Betty Edwards’ Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain,” Dr. Jamalyaria says. “I began with pencil and charcoal drawings, then learned color theory and watercolor painting.” Dr. Jamalyaria freehands all of his drawings.
In 2013, he decided to begin music lessons.
“I had no previous musical background but had always enjoyed the sound of the nylon-string guitar, so I decided to take classical guitar lessons for two years,” he says.
Dr. Jamalyaria believes his diverse interests keep him resilient.
“As long as I don’t take them too seriously, my birding, art and music all provide me with improved focus and emotional well-being,” he says. “I love being a rheumatologist, taking care of my patients, and helping many of my patients move from living in chronic pain to being able to resume and enjoy their own hobbies and interests.”
Linda Childers is a health writer located in the San Francisco Bay Area.
