Dial A Cliche: 10 Annoying Birding Cliches

Of course, we all know that cliches should be avoided like voice messages. Still, they keep cropping up – and some are specific to the world of birds and birding. Here are ten that I find particularly annoying.

“Feathered Friends”
Just because it is an alliteration does not make it a good phrase. When describing humans, I bet you do not talk about your “Clothed Companions” either.

“Avian Wonders”
Don’t pretend you are a child who has just discovered an ice cream shop and is now full of wonder. It does not suit you.

“A Feast For The Eyes”
Somehow, a phrase that could be applied to a fancy meal in an overpriced restaurant should not do a second shift describing a bird.

“Winged Jewel”/”Jewel Of The Forest”/”Nature’s Flying Gems”
Yes, three stupid phrases for the price of one. If you like color (I do), why not say so without resorting to a cliche?

“A Ballet of Grace”
A phrase specifically reserved for cranes and their most unimaginative admirers.

“Elusive Denizen Of The Forest”
If you like to keep the word denizen from extinction – and don’t mind being considered a bit of a jerk – keep using this phrase. Otherwise, do not.

“On Silent Wings”
An owl-specific cliche that suffers from being completely illogical, as one never hears about the noisy wings of all the other bird species.

“Dancing In The Treetops”
I bet the birds you are describing are foraging, not dancing.

“Nature’s Symphony”
Have you ever listened to birdsong at all? Most of it is pretty dull – not very melodic and highly repetitive. Give me Beethoven, Schumann, or (at a pinch) Mahler any day …

“Winged Visitors”
This tries to make migratory birds sound like polite houseguests dropping by for tea, when in reality, they’re more like exhausted long-haul travelers who barge in unannounced, eat everything in sight, and then vanish without so much as a thank-you.

Please share birds/birding cliches that annoy you in the comments!