Birding, Blogging

A Field Guide to Bird Guide Clichés

September 22, 2026 by Kai Pflug 1 Comment

Bird guides are undoubtedly useful, but they also seem to have been written from the same phrasebook. After going through enough of them, certain expressions crop up again and again. Here are thirteen of the most familiar bird guide clichés – and why birders sometimes dream of taking up stamp collecting instead.

More often heard before seen: Quite possibly the global market leader in bird guide clichés.

Locally common: Just not where you are right now.

Usually encountered singly, in pairs, or in small groups: Helpful. At least you can rule out thousands.

Several subspecies recognized: Only relevant if you believe in subspecies. For the sake of your sanity, don’t.

Most active at dawn and dusk: Exactly what bird photographers want to hear after a four-hour drive.

Endemic: Translates as “expensive to see”.

Best separated by voice: Why listers often feel desperate.

Seasonal movements poorly understood: We appreciate the honesty, but thanks for nothing.

Partial migrant: Apparently, some birds work from home these days.

Uncommon but widespread: Almost everywhere. Almost never.

Joins mixed-species flocks: Excellent. Now you only have to find one.

Distinctive call: Like every other bird in the guide.

Secretive: Bird guide shorthand for “good luck.”

Written by Kai Pflug
Kai has lived in Shanghai for 22 years. He only started birding after moving to China, so he is far more familiar with Chinese birds than the ones back in his native Germany. As a birder, he considers himself strictly average and tries to make up for it with photography, which he shares on a separate website. Alas, most of the photos are pretty average as well. He hopes that few clients of his consulting firm—focused on China’s chemical industry—ever find this blog, as it might raise questions about his professional priorities. Much of his time is spent either editing posts for 10,000 Birds or cleaning the litter boxes of his numerous indoor cats. He occasionally considers writing a piece comparing the two activities.