Lingua-Avis: Birdwatcher Words Quiz

Answer: Moo-tweet

Moo-tweets, or as they are also known, cowbirds are notorious for placing their eggs in the nests of other birds to be hatched. Their propensity to keep company with cattle results from the tasty intestinal worms that the cowbirds extract from dung. "Lawn carp" is a derisive term applied to semi-domesticated western Canada geese.

A "snog" is a song sparrow, whereas the term "cull" denotes a common gull.

Answer: They are little and brown.

I have a bird-watching friend who excels in the identification of little brown birds (or little brown jobs as a Brit might say). His special advantage? He is both blue-yellow and red-green colorblind. Since he sees the world in monochrome and must rely entirely on patterns of shade to identify any bird, he has an advantage when other bird watchers are unable to exploit their ability to see colors.

Answer: A gashawk

The great horned-owl (growler), rockpecker (a rocky-shore bird) and the ropit (rocky pipit) are birds. The "gashawk" is a plane. Yet, to my knowledge, there is no birder slang for superman.

Answer: Any of these

To "dip out" is to miss an opportunity to see a desirable bird. If someone sees the bird you miss, then you've been "gripped off". Perhaps you can't make a positive ID because your binoculars fog and so you can't put the check mark (tick) next to the bird's name on your bird list.

Answer: You might scare a rare bird away after seeing it to prevent even your best friend from having an opportunity to see it.

"Twitcher" is a usually nonpejorative moniker applied to birdwatchers, albeit somewhat obsessive ones, particularly in Britain. The term may have derived from the propensity of an avid birdwatcher to twitch at the mere mention of the sighting of a rare bird.

A hardened twitcher would not let any weather, any distance or any expense stand between themselves and their prey... that is... I mean... a rare bird they are seeking. Some are reportedly competitive enough to take steps to prevent other birdwatchers from seeing the prize bird once they have. "Vellicate" means "twitch" but is not in the birding vernacular.

Answer: Placing a mark next to a rare bird on a personal list despite a dubious identification

Many birdwatchers on both sides of the pond are inveterate list keepers. For most, the "life list" that chronicles every bird every spotted is most treasured. But lists based on years, months and locales abound as well. When a bird is spotted a mark or tick is duly placed next to the bird. Birders must deal with the temptation to "tick" a bird even though their identification is doubtful. Those whose fellow birders strongly suspect of questionable identifications become known as stringers. In America, the American Birding Association will publish individual member's lists. An honor system is employed.

Answer: The ability to skillfully and accurately identify even the most difficult to identify bird

In birding lingo, a "dude" is a low-key, relaxed hobbyist. The dude's lack of devotion might lead to behavior that a dedicated birdwatcher would find annoying if not infuriating. The "dude" should not be confused with the novice "protobirder", who might lack nothing in enthusiasm, but whose naiveté and bumbling could be an even sorer trial for the serious, experienced birder than the casual approach of the dude.

Answer: Jizz

Some believe that "jizz" has evolved from a term the civil air patrol used: "giss" - an acronym for "general impression of shape and size". Pressed to justify an identification, a birder might resort to listing size, shape color, field marks, and behavior.

However, considering the ability of the human mind to recognize familiar objects (or birds) at the merest glance, perhaps replying that "it had the jizz of an American widgeon" is reasonable. "Bins" are binoculars, a "wa-haa" is a cedar waxing, and a mamoo is a marbled murrelet.

Answer: The stuffed and mounted bird

"Collect" is a bird watching euphemism for shooting a bird. Ornithologists still commonly practice "collecting" today. Usually a shotgun with very fine shot is employed to minimize damage to the victim... I mean bird. An unnamed but reliable source has informed me that a very few (generally older) birdwatchers sparingly utilize "collection" to this day.

There is even an apocryphal story about the fate of the last carolina parakeet seen in the wild.

Answer: Trying to attract birds

Say "shhh". Very good. Now, put a "P" sound in front of your "shhh" to make the "psssh" sound. Good. Now kiss the back of your hand in such a way as to make a loud squeaking kissing noise. Congratulations! You're pishing and squeaking. According to the American Birding Association, if you walk slowly and quietly down your favorite path pishing and squeaking, you'll have the opportunity to stare at a number of little brown birds that would normally be hidden. Of course, it there are any non-birding humans about, you may also be the subject of a stare or two.

A "pibble" is a "pied-billed grebe".