An amusing, and yet accurate, dictionary of birding terms that includes delightful birdorable art on nearly every page.
If you are a birder, or want to be, you’ll be mesmerized by Rosemary Mosco’s latest book, The Birding Dictionary (Workman Publishing, 2025: Amazon US / Amazon UK). This captivating book is quirky, amusing and, as its name suggests, educational. Ms Mosco, a science communicator, acclaimed cartoonist, and – of course – a birder, combines expertise with her whimsical art and point of view so this dictionary is filled with often hilarious – and yet surprisingly accurate – definitions for more than 200 terms commonly used by birders, accompanied by 50 charming full-color illustrations. Terms include some bird species, some bird anatomy, and some behaviors (often peculiar) as well as the super-secret birdwatching jargon that all birders know and speak fluently, from “alcid” (“Many alcids look like someone put men’s formal wear on a potato”) to “zugunruhe” (“The seasonal, anxious motions of birders who are getting ready for migration. They may hop about, jump from perch to perch, or blow a paycheck on a scope.”)
The method behind her madness stems from Ms Mosco’s belief that using humor to explain science (or birding) will excite people, make them laugh, and then share these amusing nuggets of information with their friends. I certainly enjoyed how the author uses both words and art to get her readers to think differently about something that we may have become inured to.
Of all the definitions included in this clever book, the ones that made me laugh out loud are definitions for “snood” (p. 138) and for “convergent evolution” (p. 33).
This pocket-sized paperback is printed on heavy durable paper and is small enough to carry in a backpack alongside binoculars. It would make a wonderful gift for any birder in your life, including yourself, regardless of skill level.
If you are a birder, or you want to be one, this is the book for you.
Highly recommended.
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NOTE: I received a paperback copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest, unbiased review. Additionally, as an Amazon Associate, I may possibly earn micropayments from qualifying Amazon purchases made via links in this piece.
