Twitching can be a great way to add to your life list, but it can also be stressful to both birders and birds. Learning what twitching is and how to do it safely can help interested birders decide if this type of intensive birding is right for them.

What Is Twitching?

Twitching is adding species to a life list, trip list or other birding list as quickly as possible, often by chasing rare bird sightings or deliberately planning birding trips to see the greatest number of species in the shortest possible time.

Twitchers rarely take time to carefully study birds, instead content with positive identification before moving on to find the next bird. This technique is common for birders pursuing a competitive big year or big day, but twitching can be expensive, time-consuming and stressful for a birder who hopes to accumulate hundreds of sightings, and it isn't always for everyone. Birders who do want to try twitching, however, need to know two key things: the birds themselves, and where to find them.

Knowing the Birds

Knowing birds well is the best way to prepare for twitching. Studying birds beforehand by reading field guides and learning about the field marks, behaviors and voices of different species is the best way to be an effective twitcher, because that familiarity will help birders more quickly and accurately identify species. To better learn birds in preparation for twitching…

• Study the jizz of different types of birds in order to quickly narrow down identification possibilities in the field.
   

• Learn the most familiar birds first, then study similar plumages of other species so they can be differentiated swiftly.
   
• Practice birding by ear in order to confidently identify birds based on different calls, songs and other vocalizations.
   
• Be aware of specific target birds in different habitats so specific identification clues can be quickly pinpointed and unusual visitors can be recognized.

Twitchers who are confident about identifying birds lend credibility to their records as their expertise becomes acknowledged. While it is acceptable to get hints from other birders, it is important to always be certain of each bird's identity before adding it to a list.

Knowing Where the Birds Are

Because a twitcher wants to see as many birds as possible, it is critical to know where those birds are in order to accrue a greater number of sightings. To quickly and easily find more birds in the field…

• Study birds' range and habitat preferences as well as migration timing to know where and when to expect familiar species without wasting time.
   
• Sign up for email listservs, mobile alerts or phone hotlines that report rare bird sightings, and be prepared to act on that information.
   
• Take advantage of periodic irruptions to add northern bird species to the list quickly without needing extensive travel.
   
• Know when to go birding in different habitats and seasons to see the greatest number of bird species while duplicating as few sightings as possible.

A rare bird does a twitcher no good if the birder doesn't know where to see it, and being better aware of where to find birds is a critical component of successful twitching.

A Twitcher's Reputation

Because of the nearly obsessive, competitive nature of twitching, twitchers often develop negative reputations for not being responsible birders. Rivalries often develop between top twitchers, and claims of exaggerated lists, unethical behavior and other unsavory characteristics can become rampant. Birders should always keep the birds' best interests in mind, and even the most devoted twitcher should follow proper birding etiquette and birding ethics at all times. At no time should a birder trespass on private property to get a sighting, use bait to tempt a wild bird in for a better view, overuse recordings that can stress nesting birds or otherwise put their list above birds' welfare. A twitcher can create an even better reputation for themselves by always being gracious to other birders and offering tips or identification help in the field rather than rushing off, and helping others enjoy birds can encourage more bird appreciation and conservation for everyone – twitchers and other types of birders alike – to benefit from.

More Tips for Twitching

To make the most of all your twitching…

• Budget carefully for travel; twitching is expensive, though some cheap birding travel techniques can be helpful.
   
• Arrange a flexible work and home schedule that can accommodate unexpected absences when rare birds are sighted.
   
• Plan travel on tours or to festivals to maximize birding opportunities in different seasons and habitats.
   
• Keep birding equipment packed for a fast getaway as soon as a sighting is reported, and keep spare equipment at work or in a vehicle if possible.
   
• Always keep birding ethics and etiquette foremost in your mind, and be a gracious guest at every reserve, park or preserve you visit.

Twitching isn't for every birder, but those up for the challenge can thrive with the fast-paced, competitive nature of this type of birding and enjoy seeing their life list increase with every twitch.

Photo – Twitchers © Gavin Stewart