Definition:
(verb) The practice of recording, over time, a complete list of bird species seen and positively identified. The resulting list is called a life list or life record.
When listing, a cumulative life list is the most common record, though many dedicated birders will keep a variety of specialized lists, such as:
Not all birds are able to be counted when listing. In general, acceptable birds must be alive, wild and free, though other restrictions may apply depending on the bird species and the purpose for keeping the list. Many birding organizations, most notably the American Birding Association, assemble list records from birders, and festivals or local birding groups may organize competitions between birders for seeing the most species.
Pronunciation:
LIHST-eeeng
(verb) The practice of recording, over time, a complete list of bird species seen and positively identified. The resulting list is called a life list or life record.
When listing, a cumulative life list is the most common record, though many dedicated birders will keep a variety of specialized lists, such as:
- Big Day / Big Year: Total species seen in one time period, focused on seeing the greatest number possible.
- Trip: Total species seen on one specific trip, such as on a birding tour or during a festival.
- Yard: Total species seen within property lines, perhaps restricted to birds attracted to feeders.
- State / Country: Total species seen within a state or country where those species are not vagrants and can reasonably be expected.
Not all birds are able to be counted when listing. In general, acceptable birds must be alive, wild and free, though other restrictions may apply depending on the bird species and the purpose for keeping the list. Many birding organizations, most notably the American Birding Association, assemble list records from birders, and festivals or local birding groups may organize competitions between birders for seeing the most species.
Pronunciation:
LIHST-eeeng
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