Life Lists

Many birders keep life lists to track the different bird species they've seen, and these tips can help you start and add to your life list no only with common birds, but also with rare, vagrant and unusual birds, whether you are just starting a life list or have kept track of the birds you've seen for years.

Keeping a Life List
When you start to count the birds on your life list, you will need a way to keep a record of each one. These tips help you learn which information to include and how to organize it effectively.

What Birds Count on a Life List?
Not every bird you see can be added to a life list, but these guidelines can help you keep a life list that will be accepted by birders and birding organizations.

How to Build Your Life List
How to build a birding life list and add more species to your total count.

Vagrant Birds
Vagrant birds can be exciting for birders, but what makes birds wander far from their typical ranges? Includes tips for finding and observing vagrant birds.

Unexpected Birds
There are many types of unexpected birds that can show up in the field or backyard, from unusual vagrants to feral birds to escaped pets. These tips can help you recognize unique birds, identify them properly and react responsibly when you see them.

Rare Bird Ethics
Rare birds require special consideration of birding ethics to keep the bird's best interest at heart. These rare bird ethics guidelines can help birders decide if they should report the rare birds they see.

Your Spark Bird - What Was Your Spark Bird
Share your "spark bird" that got you interested in birding and why it sparked your interest, and read about other birders' spark birds.

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