The Birding Dictionary: 06/02/25

The Birding Dictionary by Rosemary Mosco (2025) is what it says on the tin. It's a dictionary about birding. It's not a bird field guide but it has the definitions of scientific and colloquial birding terms defined and presented in alphabetical order.

Some of the terms are straight up useful. Included are some bird anatomy you might not know. Other words are short cuts for referring to specific groups of birds (species that share similar traits, for instance).

And some are just ridiculous like "adorbler" which is a colloquial name for any bird in the wood-warbler family. Interesting side fact that's included for this one is it's origin. Apparently author Jeff VanderMeer coined the term.

As Rosemary Mosco is also an illustrator and comic artist, the book is rife with her adorable illustrations. Turn a page and there's one of her silly birds.

It's a short, quick, funny, but still useful read.

Five stars

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