Are you new to birdwatching? Confused by all the bird watching terms you hear? Don’t worry, we’re here to help you understand the language of birding.
Bird watching terms can seem overwhelming at first. Words like “twitcher,” “lifer,” and “pelagic” might sound strange if you’re just starting out. But once you learn these terms, you’ll feel more confident talking with other birders and exploring birding materials.
In this article, we’ll explain 35 essential bird watching terms in simple, clear language. From basic equipment names to fun birding slang, we’ll cover everything you need to know. So, let’s learn the language of birding together!
Table of Contents
- People and personality terms
- Equipment and technique terms
- Bird identification and features terms
- Birding activity and event terms
- Listing and achievement terms
- Birding location and distribution terms
- Birding slang and humor terms
- Final thoughts on bird watching terms
People and personality terms
When you start birdwatching, you’ll meet different types of people in the birding world. Each person has their own style and level of dedication. We have special bird watching terms to describe them. From casual birdwatchers to dedicated twitchers, these terms will help you understand who’s who in the birding scene.
Birdwatcher
A birdwatcher is usually a casual observer who simply enjoys seeing wild birds. They might watch birds in their backyard, local parks, or nature areas. They enjoy the experience without trying to identify every bird or keep detailed notes.
Birder
A birder is usually someone who takes birdwatching more seriously. They often travel to different places specifically to see birds. They typically keep lists of birds they’ve seen. They also know a lot about bird behavior and identification.
Twitcher
A “twitcher” is someone who travels long distances, often at short notice, to see rare birds. They’ll typically drop everything and go when they hear news of an unusual bird sighting.
Stringer and stringing
“Stringing” means claiming to see a bird when you really haven’t, or when you’re not completely sure. A “stringer” is someone who does this intentionally. It’s seen as bad behavior in the birding community because it spreads false information about bird sightings.
SOB (Spouse of Birder)
A funny term for someone married to a birder. They often get dragged along on birding trips or have to listen to endless bird stories. Some eventually become birders themselves, while others just patiently support their partner’s hobby.
Equipment and technique terms
Every hobby has its tools and methods, and birdwatching is no different. The birdwatching community has its own specific terms for equipment and popular techniques. Knowing these bird watching terms will help you keep up with discussions about gear and skills.
Bins and binos
“Bins” and “binos” are informal terms for binoculars. These are the key tools for birdwatching. They help you see birds up close without bothering them. Both terms are common nicknames among birders for their most essential piece of equipment.
Scope
A scope is short for spotting scope. It’s more powerful than binoculars and sits on a tripod. Birders use scopes to see birds that are far away. Scopes are expensive, so they’re mainly used by more serious birders. We have an article on how to use a spotting scope for birding.
Digiscoping
Taking photos through a spotting scope using a digital camera or smartphone. It’s a way to get close-up pictures of distant birds without high-end camera lenses. Many birders use special adapters to attach their phones to their scopes to take photos.
Digibin
Taking photos through binoculars using a digital camera or smartphone. It’s like digiscoping but uses binoculars instead of a scope. It’s a way to document bird sightings when you don’t have specialized photography equipment.
Pish
A sound birders make by saying “pssshh pssshh” to attract birds. It mimics alarm calls that small birds make, which often draws curious birds closer. It works well with passerines, such as warblers and sparrows.
Bird identification and features terms
To enhance your birdwatching experience, you need to know how to identify birds correctly. These bird watching terms describe ways to recognize birds and their life stages. Knowing these terms will make it easier for you to learn how to identify birds.
Field marks
A bird’s special features that help identify them. These include things like wing bars, eye rings, breast spots, or stripe patterns. Field marks are like clues that help you tell different birds apart. Field guides commonly describe these marks to help with identification.
Jizz
The overall impression a bird gives. It is based on a combination of factors, including size, shape, coloration, posture, and behavior. It’s what lets experienced birders identify birds even from far away or in poor light.
Juvenile
A young bird in its first feathers. Juvenile birds often look different from their parents. They may appear more dull than adults. These differences help them blend in and avoid predators.
Fledge
A young bird that has left the nest for the first time. They’re still learning to fly, so they often fly clumsily and may stay close to the ground. You might still see their parents bringing them food.
Eclipse
A dull plumage that male birds have after breeding season. During this time, they look more like females. This happens in summer and helps them blend in while they molt. Not all birds have eclipse plumage. It’s mostly seen in ducks.
First winter, second winter, and so on
These terms refer to a young bird’s development based on its winter plumage stages. First winter comes after a bird loses its baby feathers. Second winter happens the following year, and so on. Some birds, like large gulls, keep changing their winter look for several years before looking like adults.
First summer, second summer, and so on
These terms refer to a young bird’s development based on its summer plumage stages. First summer doesn’t mean the summer when a bird hatches, but the following summer when it’s one year old. Second summer is when it’s two years old, and so on. Some birds, like large gulls, take several summers before their feathers look fully adult.
First calendar year, second calendar year, and so on
This is a way to track bird age by calendar years. First calendar year (1CY) starts when a bird hatches and ends December 31 of that year. Second calendar year (2CY) is the next full year, and so on. The calendar year provides a simple way to track a bird’s age, regardless of the date it was born.
Birding activity and event terms
Birdwatchers love to create fun challenges and events. They do this to make their hobby more exciting. These bird watching terms describe activities that can make your birding adventures more enjoyable.
Big Day
A 24-hour challenge where birders try to spot as many bird species as possible. Usually done within a specific area or region. Some birders do this alone, while others make it a team event.
Big Year
A competition where birders try to see as many different bird species as possible within one calendar year. It can be done in any region, state, country, or even worldwide. It requires lots of travel, time, and dedication.
Pelagic
Bird watching that happens on the open ocean, usually from a boat. These trips target seabirds like albatrosses, petrels, and shearwaters that rarely come to land. Pelagic trips can last anywhere from a few hours to several days.
Listing and achievement terms
Many birders keep track of the birds they see. And there are special bird watching terms for these records and milestones. These terms describe how birders celebrate successes and face challenges or setbacks.
Life list
A record of all bird species you’ve seen in your lifetime. Think of it as your personal bird diary. Birders keep adding new species to this list whenever they spot a bird they’ve never seen before. Many birders are proud of their life lists and enjoy watching them grow.
Lifer
The first time you see a particular bird species, it’s called a “lifer.” It’s an exciting moment for any birder. When you spot a lifer, you can add it to your life list. Birders often travel long distances hoping to see lifers.
Dip
When you try to find a specific bird that’s been reported in an area but fail to see it. It’s a disappointing experience that every birder knows well. Sometimes you might travel far to see a rare bird, only to “dip out” when you can’t find it.
Spark bird
The specific bird that got someone interested in birdwatching. It’s the bird that sparked their passion for birding. For some, it might be a bright cardinal at their feeder; for others, it could be an impressive eagle. Many birders remember their spark bird.
Nemesis bird
A bird species that you really want to see but keeps eluding you, no matter how hard you try. You might travel multiple times to find it, but it never shows up. It becomes your personal frustration, your “nemesis” in the birding world.
Birding location and distribution terms
Birdwatchers use special terms for places and events where birds appear. Some of these bird watching terms describe regular spots, while others refer to rare bird sightings. These terms can help you understand the different birding situations you might encounter.
Patch
A favorite local birding spot that you visit regularly to watch birds. It could be a park, wetland, or even your backyard. Birders often become experts on their patch, knowing which birds show up in different seasons.
Vagrant
A bird that shows up far outside its normal range or territory. For example, a Steller’s sea eagle, which is native to Asia, has been spotted in North America since 2020. Vagrants often get lost during migration or are blown off course by storms. They’re exciting finds for birders.
Endemic
A bird species that lives only in one specific area or region of the world and nowhere else. For instance, the Kiwi is endemic to New Zealand. Endemic birds make certain places special destinations for birdwatchers who want to see these unique species.
Fallout
When many tired migrating birds suddenly land in one place, usually due to bad weather. This often occurs during spring migration when storms force birds to take shelter. Fallouts are exciting for birders because they can see many different species at once.
Patagonia picnic table effect
When birders looking for a rare bird that was reported in an area end up finding other rare birds too. Named after a rest area in Patagonia, Arizona, where in the 1960s or 1970s, a rare bird sighting led to birders finding many other rare species. More eyes in one place leads to more discoveries.
Birding slang and humor terms
Like any hobby, birdwatching has its own fun slang and jokes. These bird watching terms show the lighter side of birding. They include funny nicknames for birds and humorous descriptions of birder problems. They reflect the joy and occasional frustrations that all birders share in their adventures.
Siesta time
The quiet period at the peak of the afternoon when birds are least active. Most birds feed early in the morning or late afternoon, making these the best times for birdwatching.
LBJ (Little Brown Job)
A nickname for small, plain brown songbirds that are hard to tell apart, like sparrows. When birders can’t identify which specific brown songbird they’re looking at, they might simply call it an “LBJ” in frustration. It’s a humorous term used by birders.
Trash bird
A common bird that’s seen so often it’s taken for granted, like pigeons or starlings in cities. The term is sometimes used jokingly. We don’t like this term much because we believe every bird has value, even the common ones.
Warbler neck
The neck pain you get from looking up at trees for too long while trying to spot birds. Named after the New World warblers, which love hanging out at the tops of trees. It’s a common “injury” among birders who spend hours watching small birds in treetops.
Final thoughts on bird watching terms
Learning bird watching terms is an important part of becoming a better birder. These terms help you communicate with other birdwatchers. They also help you understand birding materials more easily. They’re like a special language that connects birders worldwide.
Don’t feel pressured to memorize all these bird watching terms at once. Start with the terms that you’ll use most often. As you spend more time birdwatching, you’ll naturally pick up more terms along the way.
Remember, every experienced birder was once a beginner who had to learn these terms too. The most important thing is to enjoy your birdwatching journey. So, have fun discovering the wonderful world of birds!