Name three birds

For Pat, who is not a birdwatcher.
Less than a two minute read.

If you can name three birds and describe them factually, you may be a birdwatcher. If you also have a favorite bird, you are probably a birdwatcher.

The bald eagle is a well-known bird, but just knowing of the bird is not a sufficient indicator. Knowing that it eats salmon, or makes large nests, or was on the brink of extinction due to bioaccumulation of the pesticide DDT thinning its eggshells and dramatically reducing the population are all indicators that you may very well be a birdwatcher. Impersonating it by miming a diving bird motion with your arms, or pretending your hands are talons, while screeching “CRAAAAAAHHHHHHH” indicates that you watch TV. Knowing that the screech of a red tailed hawk was dubbed over images of bald eagles because the screech sounds better than eagle sounds almost certainly indicates you are a birdwatcher.

In the United States, naming “eagle” as one of the birds means you might not be a birdwatcher, but specifying golden eagle or bald eagle almost assuredly indicates you are a birdwatcher.

Pigeons, blue jays, cardinals, crows, and seagulls all count. Pointing out that “seagull” is not a bird species indicates you are a birdwatcher, as does naming “gulls.” Pigeons are doves, full name rock dove or rock pigeon, which are distinct from mourning doves.

There’s a lot to keep up with. If you don’t care about any of it, you probably are not a birdwatcher. If you mostly don’t care but have strong opinions about some particular birds, then you are probably a birdwatcher. The bar is not high.

Seeing a bird, watching what it does, remembering, and comparing to other birds is a way to engage with the world around us. It’s a way to take notice. It helps us understand our role in nature, and is a reminder that even though we top the food chain we cannot fly.

Listers: A Glimpse Into Extreme Birdwatching (2025) is streaming free on YouTube.