Birding slang !! (1 Viewer)

[Simmo1111]

As a relatively newbie birder I find it quite amusing how the names of birds are shortened ...

As in a 'Gropper' for a Grasshopper warbler or a 'Blackwit' for a Black Tailed Godwit.

Can we look forward to a 'Grecker' for a Green Woodpecker for instance !!

How many more do you guys know !!

Maybe Birdforum might offer a prize for the most original abbreviation !!

I,ll start the ball rolling with a Yammer !!!!

Not too difficult to guess but I,m sure you guys can do better !!

Over to you.....

Regards.

 

[tjbirdofprey]

umm yets see Rawbler (reed warbler) and........uhhh the rest of mine are pathetic:-O

 

[DaveN]

Mipit and Tripit are two that spring to mind, also Sprawk.

 

[Simmo1111]

How about a 'Runting' .....

Lets not apply that to a Corn Bunting of course !!!!

 

[Amarillo]

Its not "amusing", its geeky in the extreme

using these abbreviations anywhere other than in your own notebook is the equivalent of using text language somewhere other than in a text message.

 

[s. james]

How about a 'Runting' .....

Lets not apply that to a Corn Bunting of course !!!!

:-O :-O Might use that one in future and see what people say...

Its not "amusing", its geeky in the extreme using these abbreviations anywhere other than in your own notebook is the equivalent of using text language somewhere other than in a text message.

Ach some people would say birding itself is geeky in the extreme, if people want to use them fire away.

 

[John P]

Mipit and Tripit are two that spring to mind,

.......and Rockit........

 

[username]

Some species of birds seem to almost provoke a slang word....and...to me...it is a very natural thing to do....i think it always has been?...[of course it annoys the feck out of some folk]...!

ps...'Simmo'.....yammer?! You never know...it may 'catch on'...[sorta doubt it tho]! In the past i have referred to yellowhammers as M.C's.....[as in M.C Hammer]....but then again...i'm nutz....

 

[Cheshire Birder]

How about TUD?

 

[Simmo1111]

How about TUD?

Ive obviously got to go for a Tufted Duck of course ...

How about a Widgeon for a Woodpidgeon !!!

Oh hang on a sec .............

 

[Cheshire Birder]

Ive obviously got to go for a Tufted Duck of course ...

How about a Widgeon for a Woodpidgeon !!!

Oh hang on a sec .............

Very good what about MAD, SUD, LINT & TOW?

:-O

 

[tophillbirder]

I like buttie for Sandwich Tern but hasn't caught on yet.
'Leeb' for Lesser Black-backed Gull is one used commonly.

 

[Jhanlon]

my fave is PG Tips. Not just an abbreviation, but an i/d pointer and a darned good brew to boot:-O

I like buttie for Sandwich Tern but hasn't caught on yet.
'Leeb' for Lesser Black-backed Gull is one used commonly.

 

[Parker]

Its not "amusing", its geeky in the extreme

using these abbreviations anywhere other than in your own notebook is the equivalent of using text language somewhere other than in a text message.

Good job you don't live in Leicester you wouldn't understand the "L3" language at all. P.

 

[Howard King]

It's all a load of crap - unless you feel a need to be part of the in-crowd where a knowledge of slang or jargon is often a substitute for observational skills.

 

[chris butterworth]

It's all a load of crap - unless you feel a need to be part of the in-crowd where a knowledge of slang or jargon is often a substitute for observational skills.

Dunno about that Howard. I've been talking about Mipits, Groppers, Barwits and Blackwits for decades now. It's just verbal shorthand, if a new birder ( or should that be birdwatcher, or even "bird spotter", H ? )doesn't know what you're on about they can always ask, I , for one, will always explain.
Chris
p.s. What about Tysties and Bonxies? :t: :t: :t:
C

 

[username]

It's all a load of crap - unless you feel a need to be part of the in-crowd where a knowledge of slang or jargon is often a substitute for observational skills.

You could be right Howard....it might be a load of crap...but you know wot 'crap' is like....there's an endless supply of it.....!

Slang/jargon has been...and still is...a part of many 'scenes'...not just birding... as i'm sure you are aware. It naturally evolves and has absolutely nothing to do with being a substitute for observational skills....don't know where you got that idea?! Certain 'terms' for species....[and other things].... often come about thru complete familiarity with those species....although i do appreciate that to those who do not care for them....they can be rather annoying! Each to they're own tho.....good birding to you....

 

[s. james]

It's all a load of crap - unless you feel a need to be part of the in-crowd where a knowledge of slang or jargon is often a substitute for observational skills.

Not necessarily cos I sorta use slang when birding by myself (and talking to myself!). I generally add -ies to the names hence 'ruddies', 'sedgies', 'hoodies', 'tufties' etc. I've always called stonechats 'stoners' tho!

 

[Peewit]

Sissie for a Sisken (OH hates it!!!!) :eek!:

Woody for a great Spotted Woodpecker

Others names are lesser mortals in the nickname game.

 

[Howard King]

I do get home now and then; mind you I do travel incognito that is minus my camel - have been in a few hides around the place - not my best birding experiences - I found procrastination and the heavy use of much jargon went hand in hand.

Your hobby lads has been hi-jacked - there are far too many people, although happily twittering in twitching jargon, they wear it on their tongues like a badge of honour, that simply do not have a clue about the species themselves.

Many people seem to believe that the the use or understanding of this jargon is synonymous with birding skills.