If you need a friend – or somebody to make fun of – it can be helpful to know some easy ways to spot birders. Here are ten ways that give these magnificent creatures away.
- They have no life.
- All birders plan their vacations around weather forecasts and migration schedules – business birders prioritize business trips for birding potential rather than business success.
- Their fashion sense is best described as rudimentary: at least one silly hat, earth tones, and multiple pockets.
- They are rarely happy with the weather – too windy, no birds, no wind, too many mosquitos.
- They think most other birders are either incompetent, too noisy, or liars. Normal people don’t even merit an opinion.
- When taking a walk with other people, they constantly point out birds even though clearly nobody is interested.
- They think it is perfectly normal to get up at 4 am.
- They think “ticks” are a good thing.
- They think of sewage ponds and garbage dumps as great vacation spots.
- They tend toward one-upmanship: “I saw a Serin the other day”. “But I saw a Dodo getting eaten by a Haast Eagle in 1567.”
Bonus: - They have lists for everything: “Birds spotted in movies”, “Birds seen while eating at McDonald’s”, “Best Bird Books printed in Helvetica font”, and of course, “Ten Easy Ways to Spot a Birder”.
Photo: Tibetan Serin, Tengchong, Yunnan, China. Thanks to Peter for his help in preparing this list.
Kai has lived in Shanghai for 21 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.
No Dodo pictures?
I almost recognise myself!
Your observations are very perceptive, Kai. In fact, they have helped me recognize one of my greatest obstacles for effective birding: I have a life. I may have to do something about that.