Many birders keep a life list, but the guidelines for what birds count on a life list that will be accepted by organizations or competitions can be strict. Fortunately, there are many alternative ways to keep a life list, from serious to silly, and each one adds a new dimension to enjoying the record-keeping side of birding.

Serious Alternative Life Lists

Serious alternative life lists often adhere to many of the same guidelines as official lists – the birds may need to be observed in the wild, free, native to the region and ethically observed – but they are more creative options than just adding the birds to a basic written list.

Popular ways of listing include:

• Geographic Lists: This type of life list is restricted to birds observed in a geographic region. It may be as small as a backyard or as large as a country or continent, but common variations include state and county options as well as specific properties such as a favorite park, refuge or sanctuary.
• Seasonal Lists: A seasonal life list is one that takes only a single season to complete, and many birders track all the species they see during spring, summer, autumn and winter. New seasonal lists may be started each year or could be added to from year to year, and changing lists seasonally provides great motivation for going birding at all times of year.
• Photographic Lists: Birders who enjoy photography often keep photographic life lists. The photos do not necessarily have to be outstanding quality, but the listed bird must be able to be identified from the photo. Many birders will seek out additional photos to upgrade their sightings, particularly as their photography skills improve.

• Subspecies Lists: Learning to identify subspecies is a great way to improve birding skills, and keeping a life list of all subspecies sightings can be a help when species are split or lumped, since those divisions often concern subspecies. Birders who have tracked those subspecies in an alternative life list can easily adjust a complete life list to be accurate.
• Sound Lists: Birding by ear is another skill that many birders seek to improve, and keeping a life list of birds that have been identified by sound, even if verification may need be visual, can help enhance a birder's ear. Before working on a sound list, however, it is best to review the ethics of bird recordings and take care not to harm birds with disruptive sounds or pishing in order to get them to call back.

Silly Options for Fun Life Lists

Birders who want even more ways to enjoy birds can enjoy other fun list options. While these types of silly life lists aren't the types of sightings to be submitted for records or shared with a rare sightings committee, they can be enjoyable ways to see even more birds, particularly for those who may not be able to go birding as often as they'd like.

• Captive Birds: There are many places to see captive birds, and birding in a zoo, aviary or other facility can give bird lovers the opportunity to see species up close that they may never have the chance to travel and see in the wild. Every new visit to a city, or even to the same zoo as exhibits change, could yield even more exotic birds to add to this type of life list.
• Extinct Birds: While extinct birds, by definition, won't be seen alive, it can be a remarkable experience to find models, skins and exhibits featuring birds that have disappeared. From the passenger pigeon to the dodo to the Carolina parakeet to the great auk, these birds are great additions to a list of unusual sightings.
• Taxidermy Birds: Studying birds that have been preserved can be fascinating and provides intimate, close up views of species birders might only otherwise glimpse through a spotting scope. Check museums, hunting clubs, sporting goods stores and state fairs for taxidermy exhibits to see waterfowl, game birds and other preserved specimens.
• Hollywood Birds: Birds can be seen in many television shows and movies, and the show doesn't have to be about birds to showcase an unusual species. Watching Animal Planet or nature-oriented shows will provide the greatest number of on-screen sightings, but any show or movie can provide a great look at a new bird to star on this unique list. For a more realistic approach, try viewing different online nest cams and feeder cams to add up species.
• Book Birds: Just like birds are seen on television, they also feature in books. While many books don't name exact species, finding any new bird in a book can be a thrill to add to this type of fun list. For more sightings read birding fiction books or other nature-oriented books, though of course field guides wouldn't really count!
• Dream Birds: You know you're a birder when you've got birds so much on the brain that you're dreaming of them, but keeping a dream list can be a fun way to remember those dreams and the birds that inspired them.
• Missed Birds: The most ironic list a birder can keep is of the birds they've never seen – when it seems like everyone else has. While a nemesis bird might be part of this list, other birds would include irruptions that didn't come close enough for a sighting, or a bird that was spotted on a bird walk but you just didn't have the right view for proper identification. These birds can easily be more motivation for birding – to make this list shorter!

Many birders keep more than one type of life list, and there are many listing variations that can appeal to any birder's preferences. A birder who enjoys travel may keep a captive list and geographic list, while an avid backyard birder might enjoy a seasonal list and a Hollywood list. Whatever lists you keep, remember, they're your lists – keep them for your own fun and enjoyment!

Photo – Captive Saffron Finch © Melissa Mayntz