A life list is a birdwatcher's record of every bird species they have identified in the wild over their lifetime — with each species recorded just once, the first time it's seen. It's the central, defining tradition of birdwatching, and for many birders the count is a lifelong, treasured pursuit.
A lifer is a species you're seeing for the very first time — a new addition to your life list. Spotting a lifer is one of the great thrills of birding, and the excitement of adding new birds is a big part of what keeps birdwatchers heading out and travelling to new places.
Keen birders often keep additional lists too — a year list (species seen this year), a garden list, a country or 'patch' list — but the life list is the one that lasts a lifetime. All you need to start is binoculars, a field guide and somewhere to record sightings. Our free birdwatching life list is ready to fill in, and our bird spotting checklist suits casual spotting.