Alternative names and nicknames for Birds

[helenol]

Is it possible this thread could become a "sticky", therefore alleviating the tedious task of searching through threads looking for a name of a bird when someone has called it by it's "other name" I'm not that well up on birdy nicknames etc, I have a hard time as it is with their "proper" names!

After delving into the archives, I stumbled upon the following post, written, I believe, by Mr Frankis.

"A list of birder's bird name shorthand, and popular alternative names & nicknames?

Most are pretty obvious, but not all; here's a selection of mainly UK ones for starters:
Barwit - Bar-tailed Godwit
BHG - Black-headed Gull
Bimac - Bimaculated Lark
Blackwit - Black-tailed Gotwit
Bonxie - Great Skua
Butterbutt - Yellow-rumped Warbler (US)
Canarycrest - Canary Islands Goldcrest
Curly Sand - Curlew Sandpiper
Dartboard Warbler - Dartford Warbler (because that's what most spellcheckers turn it into!)
Dickypit - Richard's Pipit
Elsie ('LC') - Lesser Crested Tern
Fudge Duck - Ferruginous Duck
GBB - Great Black-backed Gull
Great Spot! - Great Spotted Woodpecker
Gropper - Grasshopper Warbler
Guillie - Common Guillemot (Common Murre, US)
Hoodie - Hooded Crow
Hudwit - Hudsonian Godwit
Icky - Icterine Warbler
Lancy - Lanceolated Warbler
LEO - Long-eared Owl
Lesserpecker - Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
LBB - Lesser Black-backed Gull
Mipit - Meadow Pipit
Oyk - Oystercatcher
Pec - Pectoral Sandpiper
P G Tips - Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler
Phal - Phalarope
Pie, (greek letter) pi - Magpie
Pied Wag - Pied Wagtail
Pom - Pomarine Skua
Purps - Purple Sandpiper
R B Flicker - Red-breasted Flycatcher (flicks its tail a lot)
R B Merg - Red-breasted Merganser
Ropit - Rock Pipit
Sharpie - Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (UK, OZ), Sharp-shinned Hawk (US)
Sibe - any species, rare in Britain, from Siberia
Sibechat - Siberian Stonechat
Skemmy - feral Rock Dove / street pigeon
Spotshank - Spotted Redshank
Spotty Fly - Spotted Flycatcher
Spuggie - (House) Sparrow
Tripit - Tree Pipit
Tufty - Tufted Duck (UK), Tufted Titmouse (US)
TV - Turkey Vulture (US)
Tystie - Black Guillemot
Wapit - Water Pipit
Yank - any species, rare in Britain, from North America"

Admin, it would be a huge help if you could do this for those of us less familiar with the above names.

Thanks

[CJW]

Stuck.
Please only post alternative names, in subsequent posts, in a similar format to Helen's if possible.
Thanks,
Chris

[gthang]

you forgot:
GBH -- Great Blue Heron

Gthang

[Michael Frankis]

Seems reasonable to me to add GBH, people do use it, and it is confusing for those not familiar with it . . . over here, GBH is a legal term "Grievous Bodily Harm" (which I gather is what a Great Blue Heron can do to anyone who tries to pick one up!)

Michael

[Bluetail]

Quite agree, Michael. I remember when I was young(er) having to ask what these meant:

LRP - Little Ringed Plover
OBP - Olive-backed Pipit

Some more:

"Commic" Tern - a tern only identified imprecisely as either Common or Arctic Tern
Hippo - any warbler of the genus hippolais
Peewit - Lapwing (an old name, but still occasionally used)
Ringo - Ring Ouzel
"Willowchiff" - a warbler only identified imprecisely as either Willow Warbler or Chiffchaff
Yaffle - Green Woodpecker (another old name still occasionally heard)

Jason

[Gorgon]

This gets messy as different countries use the same codes:
LBB (or LBJ) - Little Brown Bird (or Jobbie) for anything small and hard to identify
Sprog - House Sparrow
BIFCUS - Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike
Butterbum - Yellow-rumped Thornbill
Crested Pig - Crested Pigeon
Wedgie - Wedge-tailed Eagle
are all some I can think for Australia.
Cheers,
Peter

[alan_rymer]

Hedge Spug ( Hedge Sparrow ) - Dunnock

[Charles Harper]

Some Americanisms, off the top of my head:

Buzzard - Vulture
Butcherbird - Shrike
Gobbler - Turkey
Hoodie - Hooded Merganser
Mudhen - Coot
Oldsquaw - Long-tailed Duck(probably in the f.g.)
Rain Crow - Cuckoo
Redwing - Red-winged Blackbird
Spotty - Spotted Sandpiper
Whisky Jack - Gray Jay(via another thread, thank you)

There seems to be an intellectual division between those who create diminutives for everything (Spotty, Hoodie, Semipalm, Pec)-- and those who adhere to the AOU alpha codes (SPSA, HOME, SPSA, PESA). (Not sure I got the latter right, I don`t use `em much anymore.)

[Nancy]

Jeez, I thought we Aussies were the worst in the world for abrieviating everything but you Brits do a good job too!

OBP also stands for Orange-bellied Parrot.

Fudge duck = trying to turn a Pacific Black Duck(common) into a Freckled Duck (rare)

[very boring banned member]

Black Headed Pratincoletern = white-eyed gull ;) -This just appeared in another mystery gull thread.

[CJW]

Good to see you sticking to my request to only post alternative names and not go wandering off into the realms of fantasy.
Sorry Helen, I tried. I thought it was a good idea.

[samuel walker]

Good to see you sticking to my request to only post alternative names and not go wandering off into the realms of fantasy.
Sorry Helen, I tried. I thought it was a good idea.North American nick names"
great blue heron-Old cranky and long john
Pileated woodpecker- logcock and wood kate
Am woodcock-timberdoodle
Greg-great egret
butterbutt-yellow rumped warbler
honker-Canada goose
Little brown job(LBJ) unidentified sparrow
Poop see LBJ

[rogerk]

Snatcher - Oystercatcher
Gropper - Grasshopper Warbler
Chimney Swallow - old term for Swallow (unladen)
Um... that's it for now

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Sprosser - Thrush Nightingale (I think - not sure where it comes from)

[LzyPhotographer]

Isn't this one of yours?

SPRAWK - Sparrowhawk

[Screech]

North American

Woodie - Wood Duck
Pi - Pileated Woodpecker

[Bluetail]

Arctic Roll - Arctic (Hoary) Redpoll
Bearded Reedling - Bearded Tit
Boney/Bonie - Bonaparte's Gull
Dabchick - Little Grebe
Gos - Goshawk
GND - Great Northern Diver
Hedge Sparrow - Dunnock
Lesserlegs - Lesser Yellowlegs
Lesser Spot - Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
LSW - Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
Manxie - Manx Shearwater
Med - Mediterranean Gull
Parrotbill - Parrot Crossbill
Sab - Sabine's Gull
Semi-p - Semipalmated Sandpiper
Stormie - Storm Petrel
Throstle - Song Thrush

[deboo]

H,

I use these....so be warned!

Barred Woodpecker - Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.
Big Mavis - Mistle Thrush
Starnol - Starling
Mavis - Song Thrush.....1 singing on me roof now!
Gee Cee Grebe - Great Crested Grebe
Spatula - Shoveler
Thingy - Any small brown bird I cannot i.d.

Dave.

[very boring banned member]

Spatula - Shoveler
This one is also used in finnish twitchoslang.

[Michael Frankis]

Sprosser - Thrush Nightingale (I think - not sure where it comes from)
Its German name!

Michael

[Michael Frankis]

Black-headed Gull -> "Keddie"
Great Black-backed Gull -> GBB -> "Gubbie"
Red-throated Diver -> R T Diver -> "Arty Diver"
Great Northern Diver -> G N Diver -> "Gun Diver"
Great Crested Grebe -> G C Grebe -> "Greasy Grebe"
Yellow Wagtail -> Y Wag -> "Why wag?"

Y-front Goose = White-fronted Goose (from a journalist's error in one of Britain's broadsheet newspapers!)
Snog Thrush = Song Thrush (from another misprint)
Sarnie Tern = Sandwich Tern

Some spoonerisms that sometimes get used:
Creetreeper = Treecreeper
Flied Piecatcher = Pied Flycatcher
Foetid Pink Goose = Pink-footed Goose
Fuppin = Puffin
Millygot = Guillemot
Old and Geagle = Golden Eagle
Rack Bledstart = Black Redstart
Rotted Spedshank = Spotted Redshank
(Lesser) Thritewoat = (Lesser) Whitethroat
Wide Pagtail = Pied Wagtail
Wixwang = Waxwing

But DON'T spoonerise Corn Bunting or Ferruginous Duck!

Michael

[scampo]

East Anglian / Lincs dialect, I think:

Mavis - song thrush
Bumbarrel - long-tailed tit

[Michael Frankis]

FYM = FarmYard Mallards. And also FarmYard Manure. The two go together, somehow :king:

Michael

[CJW]

I've deleted all the posts that added nothing.
This was meant to be a serious thread to help those beginners amongst us understand the often confusing names we use asabbreviations.
I ask you again, please only post genuinely used alternative names.
Thanks,
Chris

[AnnieW]

Not sure how often you'll here them used, but the following are alternative names in parts of Gloucestershire. The first one baffled me when my elderly neighbour said she's just spotted one on my peanut feeder - I thought she'd started on the G & T early !!

French Magpie - Great Spotted Woodpecker
Queest (sp ??) - Woodpigeon

[Adey Baker]

Pink Stink (or Rinky Stinky!) - Rosy Starling

[M Cowming]

RRB- Robin Red Breast
Lapwing- Peewit/Green Plover
Peregrine Falcon- Perry
Phillosc- Any warbler of PHILLOSCOPUS orientation

[Woody]

"Frenchie" - Red legged partridge, Alectoris rufa
"Lilfords" "Dutchie" - Little owl, Athena noctua
"Maggie" - Magpie, Pica pica
"Spadger" - House sparrow, Passer domesticus
"Madge Howlett" "Billy Whit" - Barn owl, Tyto alba
"Sparrowhawk" - American kestrel, Falco sparverius
"Windhover" "Stanniel" - European kestrel, Falco tinnunculus

Woody

[CJW]

Pink Stink (or Rinky Stinky!) - Rosy Starling
and Fawn Yawn for the juv. birds.

[Darren Oakley-Martin]

Heard for the first time today:

Willy Wobbler- Willow Warbler
Willowchiff- Chiffchaff or Willow Warbler that hasn't been positively Id'ed.

[SimonC]

Heard for the first time today:

Willy Wobbler- Willow Warbler
Willowchiff- Chiffchaff or Willow Warbler that hasn't been positively Id'ed.You not heard them before D?

It might just be me but I call Starlings "Joes".................after Stalin (?)..............never mind

[Larry Lade]

Here are a few more, commonly used terms in the United States:

TV = Turkey Vulture
Shin = Sharp-shinned Hawk
Coop = Cooper's Hawk
Gos = Northern Goshawk
Merg = usually Common Merganser, could be Red-breasted Merganser
Myrtle Warbler = Yellow-rumped Warbler (in the Eastern US)
Audubon's Warbler = Yellow-rumped Warbler (in the Western US)
Quail = generally, Northern Bobwhite
Pheasant = generally, Ring-necked Pheasant
Pigeon, Barn Pigeon, Rock Dove = Rock Pigeon
Dove = generally, Mourning Dove
Parakeet = Budgerigar
Hoot Owl = Great Horned Owl
Bee Martin = Eastern Kingbird
Wren = generally, House Wren
Redbird = Northern Cardinal

*Some of the names given for Pileated Woodpecker are: Pileated, Black woodpecker, carpenter bird, cock-of-the-woods, good-god, great black woodpecker, Indian hen, logcock, log-guard, Lord-God, woodchuck, woodcock and wood kate.

[birdman]

French Partridge = Red-legged Partridge
English Partridge = Grey Partridge

[BlueTiercel]

Hey all here is one I didn't notice being mentioned.
RT for Redtailed Hawk

[helenol]

Just been looking through the old threads.

Do blue tits/great tits originate from the name "titmouse" ?

[Nutcracker]

'tit' is an old diminutive prefix/suffix (compare 'titlark' for Meadow Pipit - like a small lark)

'mouse' is a folk-etymological false singularisation of 'mice', which in this case is actually the birds' original name, not related to the rodent, but derived from the Gemanic meise (which tits are still called in German, etc:
German meise
Danish mejse
Swedish mes
Dutch mees
all pronounced more-or-less 'mice'

[samuel walker]

Butterbutt aka yellow rumped warbler
Sam

[hannu]

Few Finnish :
Nisari (Comes from A. nisus) = Sparrow hawk
Gentti = Goshawk (A. gentiles)
Palu = Marsh Warbler (Acrocephalus palustris)
Butski = Buzzard species
Rusti = Gyr Falcon (F.rusticulus)
Pere = Peregrine Falcon
Vespari = Western Red-footed Falcon (F. vespertinus)
Tinnu = Common Kestrel (F. tinnunculus)
Pluvari = European Golden Plover (PLUVialis apricaria)

[alan_rymer]

Stormcock ( Mistle Thrush )

[Neil Grubb]

Why say 'Grasshopper Warbler' when EVERYONE understands 'Gropper'?
Do you always say 'I have not had my lunch' I shall not wait' Or do you say
'haven't' and 'shan't' like the rest of us!?

You illustrate the problem with abbreviated terms beautifully; those in cliques love to jargonise. I certainly didn't have any idea what a Gropper was last weekend when the term was used by another birder, until my brother elaborated.

The difference between the two examples is that 'haven't' is a widely accepted term in everyday use, whereas 'Gropper' is not widely accepted and doesn't appear in any of the bird books I own, even in the glossaries!!

[David Pedder]

You illustrate the problem with abbreviated terms beautifully; those in cliques love to jargonise. I certainly didn't have any idea what a Gropper was last weekend when the term was used by another birder, until my brother elaborated.

The difference between the two examples is that 'haven't' is a widely accepted term in everyday use, whereas 'Gropper' is not widely accepted and doesn't appear in any of the bird books I own, even in the glossaries!!

Coudn't agree more Neil! I have never heard of a 'Gropper' but I don't think I'd want to be alone with one in a hide!! :eek!:

[Clouseau]

Couldn't agree more Neil! I have never heard of a 'Gropper' but I don't think I'd want to be alone with one in a hide!! :eek!:


Actually, I do nearly understand your point.... but three thoughts!
1) Gropper IS widely accepted! It's used by birders of all sorts, not just twitchers! I've heard the term from Cornwall to the Hebrides! First heard it used at Cley in the 60's!
2) The terms are honestly NOT meant (by most birders!) to be 'cliquey', but just 'birder speak'. It really is easier to say 'Sibe' than 'A vagrant bird from Siberia'!
3) Part of the 'fun' in taking up any new hobby (and birding IS a hobby, not WW111 !) must surely be gradually acquiring the associated patois
For example: if you were to take up angling, you'd need to take onboard 'boilie, method feeder, floater, hair rig' etc. If your interest was, oh, I don't know...... meteorites, then the 'jargon' would include 'brahin, CdC, K-T, NWA' etc.

[LSB]

I was told off by an older birder last year for saying "barwit" instead of Bar Tailed Godwit.I picked up these shorted terms from the people I bird with. Ive also heard an older birder saying "peewit" I'd never heard lapwing called that before...
Its just all part of the Hobby...enjoy

[David Pedder]

Actually, I do nearly understand your point.... but three thoughts!
1) Gropper IS widely accepted! It's used by birders of all sorts, not just twitchers! I've heard the term from Cornwall to the Hebrides! First heard it used at Cley in the 60's!
2) The terms are honestly NOT meant (by most birders!) to be 'cliquey', but just 'birder speak'. It really is easier to say 'Sibe' than 'A vagrant bird from Siberia'!
3) Part of the 'fun' in taking up any new hobby (and birding IS a hobby, not WW111 !) must surely be gradually acquiring the associated patois
For example: if you were to take up angling, you'd need to take onboard 'boilie, method feeder, floater, hair rig' etc. If your interest was, oh, I don't know...... meteorites, then the 'jargon' would include 'brahin, CdC, K-T, NWA' etc.

Hi Clouseau. I'm not too convinced by your analogies but can see the "fun" element and am therefore going to enter into the spirit of things. So...this weekend I hope to scope a Burger, a Bongo, a couple of Gozzies, a Mickey Ringo and (with luck) a displaying Redhead!! ;)

[Lucky Birder]

I was told off by an older birder last year for saying "barwit" instead of Bar Tailed Godwit.I picked up these shorted terms from the people I bird with. Ive also heard an older birder saying "peewit" I'd never heard lapwing called that before...
Its just all part of the Hobby...enjoy

I frequently use Gropper, as well as Mippit, LEO and Pied Fly. Unfortunatley I dont often have the oportunity to use PG Tips.

[LSB]

I frequently use Gropper, as well as Mippit, LEO and Pied Fly. Unfortunatley I dont often have the oportunity to use PG Tips.

I wish there was more of us could use PG TIPS....nice one

[Stewart J.]

I wish there was more of us could use PG TIPS....nice one

This aged country bumpkin wonders PG Tips??? enlighten me please!

Stewart

B (:

[Neil Grubb]

Actually, I do nearly understand your point.... but three thoughts!
1) Gropper IS widely accepted! It's used by birders of all sorts, not just twitchers! I've heard the term from Cornwall to the Hebrides! First heard it used at Cley in the 60's!
2) The terms are honestly NOT meant (by most birders!) to be 'cliquey', but just 'birder speak'. It really is easier to say 'Sibe' than 'A vagrant bird from Siberia'!
3) Part of the 'fun' in taking up any new hobby (and birding IS a hobby, not WW111 !) must surely be gradually acquiring the associated patois


Hmmm, you DID say that EVERYONE knows what a Gropper is. But maybe that just shows I'm not part of the gang. Nor is David. |:P|
You might be amused to hear that my dictionary defines patois as "an unwritten regional dialect, usually considered substandard"!!

I agree with Littlestintboy, call the birds what you want, and enjoy it. Hell, my wife and I have a whole new language for our garden birds ("blokepecker" for male greater spotted woodpecker, "porkpigeon" for well-fed woodpigeon, "stripeyhead" for goldcrest). The point I was originally making is that some birders seem to enjoy looking down on those of us who have not yet acquired the birding patois.

[Bluetail]

This aged country bumpkin wonders PG Tips??? enlighten me please!

Stewart

B (:Pallas's Gropper, Stewart... erm... um... :flyaway:

[Bluetail]

Do you always say 'I have not had my lunch'And not one of you pointed out that "lunch" is an abbreviation. 'Nuff said!

[Tim Allwood]

surely everyone knows what a gropper is?

if you don't, you aint a birder!

Tim

[Katy Penland]

Ahem, excuse me, international forum here. I don't know any birders who compress bird names like you blokes in the UK. E.g., nobody in the US would dream of calling a Marbled Godwit a Marwit. ;)

[Grousemore]

E.g., nobody in the US would dream of calling a Marbled Godwit a Marwit. ;)

Of course they wouldn't, everyone knows it's a Modwit!

[Katy Penland]

As a UK ex-pat, Trev, thanks for making my case! :bounce:

[Grousemore]

As a UK ex-pat, Trev, thanks for making my case! :bounce:

You're welcome (as they frequently say in the USA) ;)

[shelley810]

Ahem, excuse me, international forum here. I don't know any birders who compress bird names like you blokes in the UK. E.g., nobody in the US would dream of calling a Marbled Godwit a Marwit. ;)

I was wondering if any US birders dared to jump in on this thread! Reading the first page, most of us in the midwest are going....hides? like blinds? like for deer hunting? ....... never mind about the following two pages!!!
But I've been on a few birding excursions and am usually in awe of what a more experienced birder (the leader) knows by ear and what knowlege they share.
shelley

[Katy Penland]

Similar idea whether for hunting or just observing. Many wildlife reserves or wetlands areas I've been to in the western US have "hides," room-size buildings with cut-out windows where you can watch the birds and other wildlife without them seeing you easily. They're particularly wonderful when the wind blows.

As for jumping into threads, well, I'm not exactly the shy, retiring type. ;)

[David Pedder]

surely everyone knows what a gropper is?

if you don't, you aint a birder!

Tim

Shucks!!

I thought I was a birder now but no, I’ve come a cropper. Tim tells me that I aint one cos I haven’t heard of Gropper! :h?:

Depressed Dude (aspiring birder)

[imagedude]

The Welsh name for a gropper is a Troellwr Bach.

[Clouseau]

Sounds a bit 'Good morning, Judge!' to me! LOL!

[Lucky Birder]

Sorry inspector Clouseau, you will have to explain that.

[David Pedder]

Sorry inspector Clouseau, you will have to explain that.

In a PM methinks!! ;)

[tom mckinney]

Has anyone heard the expression, 'waiting for the boy'

Go on...

[Steven Astley]

surely everyone knows what a gropper is?

if you don't, you aint a birder!

Tim

I didn't know what a gropper was until I started going on birdforum and I take offence at not being called a serious birder from a twitcher yet again!

[Andrew]

Waiting for the boy? :h?:



There is also the birder (or birders) who tell everyone at the top of their voice all the far flung places they have been to.

Good thing I can't hear their bragging! ;)

[Johnny1]

Katy, whats wrong with Marwit? next time you're out birding and you see one call it Marwit, you never know you could be starting a new trend in the U.S of A.

[Katy Penland]

Katy, whats wrong with Marwit? next time you're out birding and you see one call it Marwit, you never know you could be starting a new trend in the U.S of A.LOL, okay, will give it a go. Not sure I can manage a decent British accent, though. ;)

[David Pedder]

The Welsh name for a gropper is a Troellwr Bach.

Thanks imagedude but I'm even more confused now. I thought a Troellwr Bach was a Nightjar :h?:

I must confess, however, that my Welsh is not too good , perhaps because I'm English! I live in Cardiff, with a lovely Welsh lady, and am proud to be an adopted Welshman, hence the flag. Birding Hapus!

[delia todd]

I didn't know what a gropper was until I started going on birdforum and I take offence at not being called a serious birder from a twitcher yet again!.

Yippee!! I'm now a proper birder 'cos I've found out what a gropper is. There must now be a few of us that have been upgraded. LOL

[imagedude]

Thanks imagedude but I'm even more confused now. I thought a Troellwr Bach was a Nightjar :h?:



Nightjar = Troellwr Mawr

[Jos Stratford]

Ploksnapis begikas... roll on the abbreviations out here in Lithuania!

[Andrew]

Got one of my own, Humbug Lollipop, anyone care to guess what that is?

Should be obvious really.

[Bluetail]

Got one of my own, Humbug Lollipop, anyone care to guess what that is?

Should be obvious really.Black and White Warbler

[Andrew]

Nope, think of the length of the lollipop stick. It's a common bird by the way, being a bit dudish here! ;)

[Stewart J.]

Nope, think of the length of the lollipop stick. It's a common bird by the way, being a bit dudish here! ;)

Long-tailed Tit???

Stewart :h?:

[Bluetail]

Long-tailed Tit? - but B&WW fits it much better! ;)

[Jos Stratford]

What's a humbug lollipop? I been out of the UK too long?

[Andrew]

Long-tailed Tit???

Stewart :h?:
Give the man a cigar! And make it a Cuban!

[Andrew]

What's a humbug lollipop? I been out of the UK too long?
Not in circulation yet, one of my own, but now released who knows?

[Stewart J.]

Not in circulation yet, one of my own, but now released who knows?

Remember seeing one minus its tail, looked like a big pink Bumble-Bee

Stewart

[Andrew]

Remember seeing one minus its tail, looked like a big pink Bumble-Bee

Stewart
Must have been unbalanced!

(This thread is well and truly deviated!)

[Docmartin]

Nightjar = Troellwr Mawr

OK, I know about 10 words of Welsh, which is a disgrace as I lived there 5 years, but here goes.... you seem to have a Big Troellwr, and a Little Troellwr. Is 'Troellwr' something to do with the noise they make?

[Neil Grubb]

surely everyone knows what a gropper is?

if you don't, you aint a birder!

Tim

That is a bit like saying in medical circles you're not a proper doctor unless you know that a 'trick-cyclist' is a psychiatrist! Utter rubbish!! ;)

Non-Birder Neil

[Lucky Birder]

It's not the same at all Neil. Trick-cyclist is a non medical colloquialism. 'Gropper' is birders' jargon. Now a doctor who didn't know that a 'spig' is a sphignomometer would not be a proper doctor.

[Neil Grubb]

It's not the same at all Neil. Trick-cyclist is a non medical colloquialism. 'Gropper' is birders' jargon. Now a doctor who didn't know that a 'spig' is a sphignomometer would not be a proper doctor.

Not true at all - it's a sadly overused medical colloquialism! Within medicine, it is increasingly recognised that jargon is a barrier to communication. I am sure Tim's comment was made light-heartedly, and to provoke a response. Mine is that to define someone's 'level' within the hobby based on their knowledge or otherwise of jargon is patently silly!

[Rhion]

OK, I know about 10 words of Welsh, which is a disgrace as I lived there 5 years, but here goes.... you seem to have a Big Troellwr, and a Little Troellwr. Is 'Troellwr' something to do with the noise they make?

Yup - it means "Spinner". I think the reference is to the sound of the old-style spinning wheel.

[Lark Ascending]

Such abbreviations to a beginner like me do seem a bit cliquey - but at least I know what it means now when a high-birder utters it ;)

The RSPB's official description of the Hoy reserve in the Orkneys refers to Bonxies, which I know is Gaelic(?) for Bully - a local nickname for Skuas. However, the description of the North Hill reserve also on the Orkneys just calls them Artic Skuas. Like 'Peewit' and 'Yaffle', are these alternative names still used by certain individuals?

[robinm]

Such abbreviations to a beginner like me do seem a bit cliquey - but at least I know what it means now when a high-birder utters it ;)

The RSPB's official description of the Hoy reserve in the Orkneys refers to Bonxies, which I know is Gaelic(?) for Bully - a local nickname for Skuas. However, the description of the North Hill reserve also on the Orkneys just calls them Artic Skuas. Like 'Peewit' and 'Yaffle', are these alternative names still used by certain individuals?
Bonxie is the name for Great Skua. I must admit to using "Bonxie" myself as, I think, do a lot of birders.

[tom mckinney]

Here's a suggestion - if you hear someone use the words Gropper, PG Tips, Iccy, Lancey, Triple C, gripped etc... why not ask them what it means? If they say...

"Gropper is a Grasshopper Warbler"

Then you've learnt something. And if they say...

"You don't know what a Gropper is? Why you certainly aren't a proper birder. I suggest you sell your optics and hang your head in shame for the rest of your life"

Then you know you've met a complete tw@t and somebody with a severe psychological defect.

I think you'll mostly come across the former.

[Lark Ascending]

Here's a suggestion - if you hear someone use the words Gropper, PG Tips, Iccy, Lancey, Triple C, gripped etc... why not ask them what it means? They sound like street names for Class-B drugs :smoke:

As in the Shamen's song Ebeneezer Goode: "Anybody got any Veras and some Salmon?"

Maybe there coud be an official BirdForum glossary of birding terms?

[John Butler]

I have only been birding for a couple of years so the list below might be incorrect but my many encounters with birders in hides enables me to catorgarise them into the following types:-

Do you recognise these types?Are there any other types I,ve missed?

MAX.

Hi Senatore.

before moving to Spain I lived in the west country and used to do a lot of birding at Bowling Green marsh at Topsham. Here you had another breed. The greedy "these are all my birds" type.

Typical example:- Walk into the hide, say hello and ask "anything about?"
Response. "No"
Then spend 30 minutes scanning the site before scoping a distant bird.
You then say something like "Hey, theres a Wood Sandpiper over by the railway line if you're interested"
Response. "Yeah. It's been there for about an hour".

Really helpful, or what?

On another subject.

I have to admit that until I joined birdforum about two years ago I was "not a real birder" because I did not (not didn't) know what a "Gropper" was.
I appreciate that TIM has no doubt seen THOUSANDS of them (as with every other bird he speaks about in abbreviated terms) and this has obviously made him the ultimate birder.

Tim. Please realize that not everyone on this forum is a member of the UK birding fraternity and we do not all (whether by choice, or lack of knowledge of birders new-speak) refer to birds as you do.

Here in Spain we have birds sometimes referred to as Callies, Blews and Blocks. I would not expect you to know what they are and would certainly not regard you as "not a real birder" if you did not (not didn't).

I understand that you are a teacher. Maybe your attitude and your penchant for abbreviating everything is a contributing factor in the the widely reported decline in British teaching standards.

Regards from Doñana.

John.

[Neil Grubb]

Here's a suggestion - if you hear someone use the words Gropper, PG Tips, Iccy, Lancey, Triple C, gripped etc... why not ask them what it means? If they say...

"Gropper is a Grasshopper Warbler"

Then you've learnt something. And if they say...

"You don't know what a Gropper is? Why you certainly aren't a proper birder. I suggest you sell your optics and hang your head in shame for the rest of your life"

Then you know you've met a complete tw@t and somebody with a severe psychological defect.

I think you'll mostly come across the former.

Thank you Tom, for speaking sense! You are now reiterating my original point which I will repeat here cos there have been 50 or so posts since:

"Another category is birders who, rather irritatingly, contantly use abbreviations and birding jargon and look at you as if you are mentally subnormal when, by way of clarification you ask what a Gropper is!"

As you say, tw@t!

[Clouseau]

I have NO doubt that Tim was being light-hearted. I also have NO doubt he is a fine teacher who works in a VERY difficult part of the UK with VERY difficult children, to whom (like most teachers!) he devotes an immense amount of his energies. I don't think the personal attack on him was at all justified!
I can't see any difference in Scottish birders using 'Tystie, Bonxie, Hoodie' etc and current or one-time twitchers using 'Gropper, Iccy or PGT'
And I KNOW Tim would be quite happy to interpret these terms to anyone who asked politely!
(Not that he needs me or anyone else to speak for him!)

[Bluetail]

Well said, inspector. I think this has all got out of proportion.

Incidentally, what on earth is a "Triple C"? (Oh shucks, that makes me a dude, doesn't it?) If it's what I think it is I can't imagine too many birders being over-familiar with it - in this country at least.

[robinm]

Incidentally, what on earth is a "Triple C"? (Oh shucks, that makes me a dude, doesn't it?) If it's what I think it is I can't imagine too many birders being over-familiar with it - in this country at least.
If it isn't Cream-coloured Courser than I don't know what. You and I have both seen one in the UK fairly recently, Jason. ;)

[tom mckinney]

Triple C is indeed Cream-coloured Courser also known as Troy.

See, you only have to ask :-)

[Bluetail]

Thanks, Robin - that's all I could come up with too. Yes, I guess quite a few of us saw that. Excellent bird wasn't it? ;)

[tom mckinney]

2 others I've recently heard have been:

Sh1t Finch and Barry

[Clouseau]

Triple C is a blocker for me! Missed the one at Filby 200 years ago and been missing them ever since!

[Bluetail]

Triple C is indeed Cream-coloured Courser also known as Troy.

See, you only have to ask :-)Now "Troy" I had heard, but I always took it to mean that particular individual - or is used more generally?

[tom mckinney]

Now "Troy" I had heard, but I always took it to mean that particular individual - or is used more generally?

I think you're right. Troy probably was devised especially for last year's bird (RIP).

What an amazing bird, eh? Can't see anything ever beating that. What other bird has had such a combination of extreme rarity value, beautiful appearance, character, approachability and ease of viewing, ease of photography, nice location (during cheapo deals on the Scillonian as well!) and finishing with a dramatic yet tragic demise? Legendary!

[StuartReeves]

2 others I've recently heard have been:

Sh1t Finch and Barry

I think abbreviations/nicknames like Gropper and Bonxie are just part of the game and are not intended to be cliquey, but these are getting a bit too obscure ! Maybe someone should start a new thread on this topic to make the abbreviations more widely available and both avoid the accusations of elitism, and keep us amused with latest coinages !

Stuart

[David Pedder]

I think abbreviations/nicknames like Gropper and Bonxie are just part of the game and are not intended to be cliquey, but these are getting a bit too obscure ! Maybe someone should start a new thread on this topic to make the abbreviations more widely available and both avoid the accusations of elitism, and keep us amused with latest coinages !

Stuart

Go for it Stuart! I'm interested in the names for birds that can't be positively identified. "Commic" for Common Tern or Arctic Tern for example or "Chillow" - either a Chiff Chaff or a Willow Warbler! I'm sure, though, a "proper birder" could ID them correctly in the first place! ;)

[StuartReeves]

Go for it Stuart! I'm interested in the names for birds that can't be positively identified. "Commic" for Common Tern or Arctic Tern for example or "Chillow" - either a Chiff Chaff or a Willow Warbler! I'm sure, though, a "proper birder" could ID them correctly in the first place! ;)


Tis done (see http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=35733). By the way, 'Chillow' is a new one on me, I've always referred to Willow-chiffs. I wonder if that makes me an improper birder ?

Stuart

[Bluetail]

I think abbreviations/nicknames like Gropper and Bonxie are just part of the game and are not intended to be cliquey, but these are getting a bit too obscure ! Maybe someone should start a new thread on this topic to make the abbreviations more widely available and both avoid the accusations of elitism, and keep us amused with latest coinages !

StuartActually we've had a few threads on this in the past:

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=14263
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=4694
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=18646

[David Pedder]

Tis done (see http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=35733). By the way, 'Chillow' is a new one on me, I've always referred to Willow-chiffs. I wonder if that makes me an improper birder ?

Stuart

Not sure. Ask Tim!

[Lark Ascending]

Just been looking through the old threads.

Do blue tits/great tits originate from the name "titmouse" ?

I've read that it could have also stemmed from the Old Norse word "tittr" meaning small

[Katy Penland]

Just to give you guys a little warning, we're going to be splitting this thread and moving all the abbreviation/glossary terms into its own thread, leaving the original "hide" discussion intact here. Probably won't do it until most of you in Europe are abed tonight, but just an FYI... :t:

[DavidP]

I understand that you are a teacher. Maybe your attitude and your penchant for abbreviating everything is a contributing factor in the the widely reported decline in British teaching standards.

Regards from Doñana.

John.

It may be widely reported but is it really true. According to the OECD and there international comparisons of students ability in their member countries (PISA test 2000) the UK is doing quite well, the UK coming in 7th for reading and mathematical literacy and 3rd for scientific literacy. All much higher than the average in the OECD, I'm afraid Spain scored much below the average of the OECD in all these measures. Luckily you probably don't have children going thru the Spanish school system.
http://www.statistics.gov.uk/pdfdir/isae1201.pdf

So I'd say Tim is doing a good job.

[scampo]

The Norse word is for a sparrow, too, presumably meaning a small bird, but "titmouse" is correct, a "blue titmouse".

[helenol]

Steve, thanks for getting the thread back on track.

Thanks for the info re titmouse too.

[Clouseau]

Norfolk has LOADS of alternate names!

Harnser - Grey Heron
Draw-water - Goldfinch
Wind-hover - Kestrel
Tangle-picker - Turnstone
Throstle - Song Thrush
Goat sucker - Nightjar (!)
Spar-hawk - Sparrowhawk
Watchdog - Redshank

I could go on all night, but I promise not to!

[scampo]

Goatsucker is a common name for nightjar - apparently farmers claimed the nightjar would drink the nanny goatr's milk of a night!

John Clare's poetry is replete with local names for birds - he came from towards your way although Norolk was once a very insular county according to a friend of mine who was born sevent years ago in Thetford. He can remember whenever a stranger turned up and asked the whereabouts of a local the reply would often be, "An what might you be you wanting to know that for...?".

[scampo]

Steve, thanks for getting the thread back on track.

Thanks for the info re titmouse too.
Hi Helen! The origins of words can be fascinating for sure!

[Stuart Watson]

Is it possible this thread could become a "sticky", therefore alleviating the tedious task of searching through threads looking for a name of a bird when someone has called it by it's "other name" I'm not that well up on birdy nicknames etc, I have a hard time as it is with their "proper" names!
After delving into the archives, I stumbled upon the following post, written, I believe, by Mr Frankis.
[i]"A list of birder's bird name shorthand, and popular alternative names & nicknames?
Thanks

From a 1925 book (Birds one should know) i have stashed away in the loft i remember these

GREEN PLOVER - Lapwing (i use this still)
HEDGE SPARROW - Dunnock (and this)
STORMCOCK - Mistle Thrush
WINDHOVER - Kestrel

I also recall Great Titmouse as one of the birds in this book

Personal abreviations include

SPOCK - Sparrowhawk
GRINCH - Greenfinch
GOLDIE - Goldfinch
WP - Woodpigeon
CD - Collared dove

My curiosity is taking over - i`m away to find the book

[Stuart Watson]

Is it possible this thread could become a "sticky", therefore alleviating the tedious task of searching through threads looking for a name of a bird when someone has called it by it's "other name" I'm not that well up on birdy nicknames etc, I have a hard time as it is with their "proper" names!
After delving into the archives, I stumbled upon the following post, written, I believe, by Mr Frankis.
[i]"A list of birder's bird name shorthand, and popular alternative names & nicknames?

:hi:
Great news - i found my book and there are two pages of nicknames

" LOCAL AND OTHER NAMES "

KESTREL - Windhover, Hoverhawk, Standgale, Creshawk
SPARROWHAWK - Pigeon Hawk
BARN OWL -White Owl, Screech Owl, Jinney Oolet, Church Owl, Hissing Owl
SHORT-EARED OWL - Woodcock Owl, Short-horned Howlet, Horned Oolert
RED-BACKED SHRIKE - Murdering Pie, Butcher Bird, Whiskey John, Cheeter
ROOK - White-faced Crow, Craa
STARLING - Stare, Starnel, Sheep`s Starnel
JAY - Jaypie, Jay Piet
MAGPIE - Madge, Mag, Maggie, Pianet, Hagister
WOOD PIGEON - Cushat, Ring Dove, Quest, Cushie
NIGHTJAR - Nighthawk, Jar Owl, Goatsucker, Wheelbird, Churn Owl
LAPWING - Peewit, Green Plover, Peeweep, Tufit
THRUSH - Mavis, Throstle
CHAFFINCH - Spink, Pink, Beech-finch, Shelly, Scobby, Shell-apple
GOLDFINCH - Thistlefinch, Goldpate, King Harry, Grey-pate
HAWFINCH - Grosbeak, Black-throated Grosbeak
BULLFINCH - Nope, Pope, Alp, Hoop
GREENFINCH - Green Linnet, Green Chub, Green Lintie
SWALLOW - Chimney Swallow, Barn Swallow, House Swallow
HOUSE MARTIN - Window Martin, Window Swallow, Eave Swallow, Martlet
SWIFT - Screecher, Deviling, Screech Martin
GREAT TITMOUSE - Oxeye,Pickcheese, Bee-biter, Sit-ye-down, Tom Collier
BLUE TIT - Blue Cap, Tom Tit, Billy Biter, Hickwall, Nun, Tit Mal
CUCKOO - GOWK
GREEN WOODPECKER - Rainbird, Yaffle, Gally, Whetile, Awlbird, Wood-speight, Yaffingale
SPOTTED FLYCATCHER - Beam Bird, Chanchider, Post-bird, Rafter, Cherry-chopper
SKYLARK - Lavrock, Fieldlark
PIED WAGTAIL - Peggy Dishwash, Water Wagtail, Nanny Washtail, Wagster
BLACK-HEADED GULL - Hooded Mew, Laughing Gull, Red-legged Gull, Sea Crow, Brown-headed Gull


BIRDS ONE SHOULD KNOW BENEFICIAL AND MISCHIEVOUS
By THE REV.CANON THEODORE WOOD
Illustrated by ROLAND GREEN F.Z.S.
Published 1925 by GAY & HANCOCK, LIMITED

I hope this is of help to you, although i`d guess some of these names have not been used in over 50 years. Certainly very interesting though- and it would be nice to trace the origins of some of them.

I`m so glad i rediscovered this book now, as there is a wealth of information contained within, which is sadly absent from most of the newer guides.
Should anyone be interested in what the book says for any of the 33 aforementioned birds please PM me and i will be happy to forward you the extracts. |:D|

[samuel walker]

You could be out shorebirding with Weather (Mike) on a mudflat when he exclaims the Yellow greaterlegs or its cousin the yellow lesserleg. For me recently since it was a lifer and always do too much reference work after I see the bird including nickmames.
N.Am yellow billed cuckoo=raincrow.
Sam

[helenol]

Stuart, a great post, thanks for that!

[helenol]

I'm sure this was a "sticky" thread yesterday? And now it isn't? In fact, it started life as a sticky!

I thought one of the points of "sticky" threads, was that they usually contain information that may be of interest to a large number of members, and also making it a little easier to find in a future search of a forum etc?

So, is it a sticky, or isn't it?

Regards

[Hotspur]

Not true at all - it's a sadly overused medical colloquialism! Within medicine, it is increasingly recognised that jargon is a barrier to communication. I am sure Tim's comment was made light-heartedly, and to provoke a response. Mine is that to define someone's 'level' within the hobby based on their knowledge or otherwise of jargon is patently silly!
erm, a spig isnt a sphygmomanometer its a spiggot. A sphyg on the other hand might be ;)

[Tim Allwood]

re Gropper

if you don't know this, you're a birdspotter

if you do you're a birder

don't get too excited though cos you know what it means now...

the fact some people in U.K. think 'gropper' is 'elitist' is beyond hilarious.

Tim

[pianoman]

I suppose there would be two main types of alternative name, local or archaic names on the one hand, and birder jargon on the other. Might be helpful to distinguish them...

Was trying to think of Irish local names. My 101-year old grandmother (now deceased, RIP) was a good source of archaic names, lore and superstition. Here in Ireland we have:


Water Hen = Moorhen (Still the most common name for it)
Bonxie = Great skua (not jargon, but an official name, from Gaelic)
Dabchick = Little Grebe (Still the most common name for it)

Some more obscure ones, still used locally:

Snag = Treecreeper, from Gaelic. Treecreeper is also sometimes called woodpecker. No confusion since we don't have any woodpeckers!

Bluecap = Blue Tit
Blackcap = Great Tit, while Blackcap Warbler = Blackcap! Luckily, hardly used by anyone younger than my grandmother, which is pretty much everyone.

Tit Lark = Meadow Pipit. (Also in the north of England I believe)
Water Crane = Grey Heron. Dates from the days when cranes were present in Ireland. (Common Crane was Moor Crane or just Crane)

I might find out some more unless someone tells me to stop...

Andrew

[Clouseau]

Today's boring fact!
Did you know (best Michael Caine voice!) that 'Moorhen' comes from 'Mere Hen' (ie: 'Lake Hen')

[helenol]

I'm sure this was a "sticky" thread yesterday? And now it isn't? In fact, it started life as a sticky!

I thought one of the points of "sticky" threads, was that they usually contain information that may be of interest to a large number of members, and also making it a little easier to find in a future search of a forum etc?

So, is it a sticky, or isn't it?

Regards
Anyone? Thanks.

[KnockerNorton]

Pianoman - I knew an old lady from the Lake District who also called Great Tits 'Blackcaps'. Took me a while to figure it out!

May be repeating someone (even myself?) but in Hull 20 years ago when I was a kid:
House Sparrow = sprog
Pied Wagtail = Paddy Wagtail (curruption of local pronunciation of Pied, rather than any Irish slandering!)
Kestrel = Kezzie
Barn Owl = Snowy (not Snowy Owl, just Snowy)

Also, while I'm at it:
Rat = longtail
bird = bod

[David Pedder]

Apologies for asking this question again but can anyone tell me why a Sandwich Tern is known as "Groucho"? (Marx I assume?)

Thanks.

[John Jackson]

Apologies for asking this question again but can anyone tell me why a Sandwich Tern is known as "Groucho"? (Marx I assume?)

Thanks.

Never heard it used, so only guessing, but having just returned from a 15 year exile in London surrounded by the Cockney mindset, I imagine someone has associated Groucho club/club sandwich/Sandwich Tern.

[Clouseau]

Correct!
Or at least that is how it was explained to me on the Scillonian by a certain WW!

[Xenospiza]

Some of the more funny Dutch abbreviations:
Ali - Aalscholver (Cormorant)
Dwali (roughly translated: "Little accidental") - Dwergaalscholver (Pygmy Cormorant)
Stofje (literally "dust particle") - Stormvogeltje (Storm Petrel)
A/Z-tje - Alk/Zeekoet (Razorbill or Guillemot)
Giertje ("little vulture") - Gierzwaluw (Swift) [could cause confusion]
Grap ("joke") - Graspieper (Meadow Pipit)

I always get very annoyed by the American 4-letter abbreviations... GWGU, BWWA etc.

[John Jackson]

Goatsucker is a common name for nightjar - apparently farmers claimed the nightjar would drink the nanny goatr's milk of a night!


Caprimulgus (scientific name for nightjar) translates directly from Latin as goatsucker. The word was used in Roman times as an insult, but I don't know if it was associated with nightjars at that time.

You might think that is useless information, but it was handy for me once: I scraped through Latin O level largely because I had to translate a poem by Ovid that went "That Suffanus, whom you know well, is an urbane and sophisticated man until he picks up his pen, when he becomes like any ordinary goatsucker".

[CiaraWhiteHorn]

Red-winged Blackbird = Ricebird! (probably a very localized nickname)

[helenol]

A few names used for red kite (Milvus milvus) include "scoul", "fork-tail", and "crouch-tail". It was known as "glede" in Devon, and "puttock" in the eastern counties.

[helenol]

Thanks to Gabba for allowing me to take this from another thread.

"Spuggie, Starkie, Cra, Blackie, Thrushie, Mistla, Wetahen, Chaffie, Skemie, Spuggiehark, Corbie and so on"

[arnie]

Occasionally heard (in jest) in my part of the US.

Black-winged Redbird = Scarlet Tanager

c.f. Red-winged Blackbird

[Ashley beolens]

Five striped sprite = Pallas's warbler might be three striped haven't heard it for a while.

[helenol]

Five striped sprite .
Try saying that after a few pints!

[arnie]

Here is another US joke nickname, usually uttered in frustration after an expected exciting bird turned out to be the following common (and non-native) species:

Lawn Dowitcher = European Starling

(think feeding habits).

JA

[helenol]

Nice one arnie. It's great to see what alternative names there are for birds on your side of the pond. Keep 'em coming!

Regards

[postcardcv]

Five striped sprite = Pallas's warbler might be three striped haven't heard it for a while.

I think you'll find it's seven striped sprite...

[Dimitris]

Alright here are some Greek ones:

Bee-eater=Bee-weaver
Barn Owl=Crying Bird,Deathbringer
Scop Owl=Reaper Bird
Hawfinch=Fat Nose,Nut Lover
Eleonoras Falcon=Black Peregrine
Robin=Winter Nightingale
Rose-coloured Starling=Holy Bird
Bittern=Spirit of the Swamp,Lost Soul
Mistle Thrush=Hawk Thrush
Redshank=Hunters curse(beacause they alert all birds about the prescense of humans)also know as Spy of The Swamp.
Just a few,Greece has 100ds of regional names for birds,most of which can't be translated into english

[helenol]

Thanks for those Dimi, I especially like Hunters Curse and Spy of the Swamp. I wonder if they are know as this over here in the UK?

[Gus Horsley]

Where I originally came from, Southowram, a little village near Halifax, any gull was known as a "shitehawk". Not very poetic I know and also displaying a notable lack of species recognition. Come to think of it, maybe it was just me dad who called them that...

Gus

[Stuart Watson]

Where I originally came from, Southowram, a little village near Halifax, any gull was known as a "shitehawk". Not very poetic I know and also displaying a notable lack of species recognition. Come to think of it, maybe it was just me dad who called them that...
Gus

Similar expression used by my dad for pigeons, but on a good day we`d hear them called flying vermin or rats wi' wings.

[Wickham]

Falkland Islands Long-tailed Meadowlark is much more appropriately called the Military Starling.

It looks like a starling and has a really bright red chest.
http://www.birdforum.net/bird_view.php?bid=4802

We called the Turkey Vulture a Luncheon Voucher!
http://www.birdforum.net/bird_view.php?bid=8674

[scampo]

[QUOTE=Wickham]Falkland Islands Long-tailed Meadowlark is much more appropriately called the Military Starling.

It looks like a starling and has a really bright red chest.
http://www.birdforum.net/bird_view.php?bid=4802

That beak looks like it could do a worm a lot of damage! Excellent photo.

[stevo]

Here`s one FURZEHACKER or more commonly known in Hampshire as the Stonechat.I think the word furze(unless someone corrects me)means gorse.The other one that springs to mind is SPROSSER which I think is the German name for Thrush nightingale.

Cheers Steve.

[alcedo.atthis]

"Here`s one FURZEHACKER or more commonly known in Hampshire as the Stonechat. I think the word furze(unless someone corrects me)means gorse.
(or Whin)
The other one that springs to mind is SPROSSER which I think is the German name for Thrush nightingale."

Steve, it may also have been a local name for Whinchat according to the folowing :-
http://www.hants.gov.uk/newforesthistory/birds.htm

Regards

Malky

[stevo]

Hi Malky

I must admit when I posted I didn`t look at my copy of the Birds of Hampshire & off hand I thought it to be Stonechat but you are right.

Steve.

[antshrike]

Here in the southwest USA an Inca Dove is a "Stinky Dove" and Groove-billed Anis are so common in Mexico that a buddy and I started calling them "Boat-billed Grackles".

Dan

[JMikeB]

Where I was born and raised (Oswaldtwistle - little place near Blackburn) the following names were often used:

Spadger

[JMikeB]

I am originally from a small town named Oswaldtwistle (near Blackburn). I was brought up using the following names:

Spadger House Sparrow

Shep Starling

Tuuit Lapwing

There are probably others but I can't remember them. The term "shitehawk" was used though, I think to describe any bird such as gulls, wood pigeons or starlings that were capable of making a mess on your washing or your car.

Mike

[Gregory Sargean]

I don't know what a "gropper" is. But then again, as an American, I don't know what a grasshopper warbler is, either. We don't use that many alternate names over here, usually we just shorten the name. "Blackburnian", "red-eye", "red-tail" Cooper's, etc. We do use some knicknames, though. Here are a couple off the top of my head:

"Pond Pigeons"=the resident (non-migratory) population of Canada Geese here in New England.

"Homer"=Hooded Merganser

"Sharpie"-Sharp-shinned Hawk

"Baldpate"-American Wigeon

[Gemfyre]

I'll probably repeat a bunch because I haven't read the whole thread. Some off the top of my head.

[B]Willy Wag - Willie Wagtail
LPC - Little Pied Cormorant
BFCS - Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike
LBC - Little Black Cormorant
Crusty Pig - Crested Pigeon
BHE - Brown Honeyeater
Singer - Singing Honeyeater
Sacred Ibis - Australian White Ibis
Capsicum Tern - Caspian Tern
Gullible Tern - Gull Billed Tern
Pluv or Ploov - any plover
Peewee - Magpie Lark
Whistler - Whistling Kite
Sea'gl - White Bellied Sea Eagle
Kimberly Seagull - Black Kite
Butterbutt - Yellow-Rumped Thornbill
Butchie - any butcherbird
Cuddlebird - White-Breasted Woodswallow
Happy Families - Apostlebird
Cranky Fan - Grey Fantail
Scissor Grinder - Restless Flycatcher
Didge - Gerygone
Cookie - Kookaburra
Beater - Rainbow Bee-Eater
Redcap - Red-Capped Plover
Curly - Curlew Sandpiper
Curlew - Eastern Curlew
Sharpie - Sharp-Tailed Sandpiper
Bobbob - Common Sandpiper
Tatt - Grey-Tailed Tattler
Marshie - Marsh Sandpiper
Woodie - Wood Sandpiper
Ruddy - Ruddy Turnstone
Jabiru - Black-Necked Stork
Glossy - Glossy Ibis
Snavelrat - Mangrove Heron (I must admit, this was coined by my boss and now all the staff here use the term)
Swampy - Purple Swamphen
Buffy or Buffy Rail - Buff-Banded Rail
Musky - Musk Duck
Pinkie - Pink-Eared Duck
Frecklie - Freckled Duck
PB - Pacific Black Duck

[choupique1]

lesser scaup - dos gris

woodcock - becasse, mudbat

ibis - bec croche

shoveler - spoonbill, texas mallard, hollywood, smiley

gadwall - gray duck

[KPG]

Old names used in Berkshire in the thirties and forties (1930-40's that is!)

Hedge Sparrow - Hedge Pop

Wren - Bunglebarrel

Nightingale - Stinging Nettle Creeper

Also I would think a Rock Pipit should be a Rockit rather than a Rippit

[John P]

Dorsetspeak for a Dartford Warbler is *fuzzacker*