Lists

Ten Things Birds Say About Birders

March 27, 2025 by Kai Pflug 5 Comments

Have you ever wondered what birds think and say about birders? Here are ten representative statements I overheard in the field.

1. “Ah, the humans are back. Must be checklist season.”

2. “Honestly, I don’t mind the attention. It’s the misidentifications that hurt.”

3. “One of these days, I’ll follow them home and just stare at them for hours.”

4. “They call me a skulker. I call it privacy.”

5. “Let’s fly away right when they almost get the perfect shot—just for fun.”

6. “So they can identify me from 100 meters away but still walk into trees?”

7. “Oh look, they brought a field guide. How adorable.”

8. “Let’s see how long we can keep them guessing: am I a juvenile or just molting?”

9. “We should start a ‘Watchers of Birdwatchers’ club. We’d have great stories.”

10. “Honestly, I’m flattered. But also a little creeped out.”

Photo: Spotted Owlet, Delhi area, India

Written by Kai Pflug
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.