Bird People sound like “fans” of anything - you gotta prove your fandom with evidence. It’s why I prefer the term enthusiast now! I’m enthusiastic about a lot of things, including birds, but like you I don’t feel the need to prove it through amassing knowledge about them.
I like the term amateur. The word comes from the French word amateur and the Latin amator (meaning "lover" or "one who loves"). It implies that the person is doing something for the love of the craft rather than for a paycheck or payoff (ie. most species in a year- for birders A Big Year).
Listers!!! I loved that movie so much…and free on YouTube. I am a dedicated semi bird nerd(birdy semi nerd?). No formal lists for me but I do celebrate when I identify the birdsong and my Merlin app confirms.
As a "Bird Person" (birdwatcher, birder, etc.) I loved reading this! One note I have is that there are multiple subgroups and cultures within this broader category. Not all of us are competitive about lifers and rares, or obsessive about checklists. :D
Bird People sound like “fans” of anything - you gotta prove your fandom with evidence. It’s why I prefer the term enthusiast now! I’m enthusiastic about a lot of things, including birds, but like you I don’t feel the need to prove it through amassing knowledge about them.
I like the term amateur. The word comes from the French word amateur and the Latin amator (meaning "lover" or "one who loves"). It implies that the person is doing something for the love of the craft rather than for a paycheck or payoff (ie. most species in a year- for birders A Big Year).
I recently learned that Savannah has a FEMINIST BIRD CLUB!!!! OMG
They are meeting at Lake Mayer next Saturday I believe and I think I will join them.
I have to work next weekend. Please fill me in on it.
Great piece, thank you! I'm also Team not a Bird Person™ bird person.
Check out Listers for some goofy sweary birdwatching fun: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl-wAqplQAo
Listers!!! I loved that movie so much…and free on YouTube. I am a dedicated semi bird nerd(birdy semi nerd?). No formal lists for me but I do celebrate when I identify the birdsong and my Merlin app confirms.
This is a beautiful essay/meditation… and I LOVE your shared bird collection
I realized I have a lot of bird jewelry. I'm not sad about it.
As a "Bird Person" (birdwatcher, birder, etc.) I loved reading this! One note I have is that there are multiple subgroups and cultures within this broader category. Not all of us are competitive about lifers and rares, or obsessive about checklists. :D
1) those necklaces.... INCREDIBLE
2) strong agree that you can be a fan of things without being THEE fan. there's room for everyone!