Archive for the 'Glossary' Category

Ornithologist: another name for a birder or bird watcher, but usually someone who takes their interest very seriously. Those who study birds as part of their work are best called ornithologists. I regard myself as a birder primarily. I watch birds. I photograph birds. I write about birds (on this blog). I talk (as a [...]

Oriental: the region consisting of the Himalayas, India, SE Asia and Indonesia. The term “oriental” refers to birds of a particular region of the world. It also happens to be the only region of the world I have visited outside of Australia. In 2005-06 I had a wonderful trip to Thailand and Nepal. You can [...]

Nomadic: some species are able to move erratically between different regions in response to drought, rainfall or lack of food sources. For example, honeyeaters may move from their normal habitat to another area where there is an abundance of flowering trees. Territorial birds Wild birds can be very territorial, staying in the one location all [...]

Nocturnal: active at night, such as owls. (The opposite is diurnal, or active in the day time.) I should go out birding more at night. After all, if I want to actually see nocturnal birds, as opposed to merely hearing them, I have to make the effort to get out there in the wild of [...]

Month list: a list of all the bird species seen by a birder in a particular month. I am a self confessed list maker. I make lists of things to do. I make lists of things I’ve done. I make lists of things I have. I make lists of things I’d like. I make lists [...]