This funny Real Birders Use Four-Letter Words long sleeve t-shirt is a fun gift idea for birders. Do you know the meaning of four-letter word in this context? Let me explain...

Bird banders (also called bird ringers, especially in the United Kingdom) use four-letter codes to identify the species they band (or ring).

Birders and others can use these extremely handy 4-letter codes as they record the birds they observe. The codes aren't difficult to decipher or use; there are general rules to ascertaining the code for a particular species, with exceptions across the bird world in cases where names would result in identical codes. It's not too hard, especially if you take the time to learn the basic rules and become accustomed to the codes for your most commonly seen birds.

This kind of shorthand can be handy to use, but some who don't use the codes may find the use of them in everyday conversation annoying, confusing, or even elitist. Yes, the use of codes in some birding circles is "controversial". Ugh.

"Real birders use four-letter words" is a funny slogan for birdwatchers, especially those accustomed to using the handy and easy to learn series of banding codes. This text slogan design includes silhouettes of some different birds, along with their four-letter banding codes, to make the message clear. For those who don't use codes, here's a translation: Phainopepla; Bald Eagle; Ring-billed Gull; Mourning Dove; Mallard; and Brown-headed Cowbird.

Shown here on a long sleeve unisex tee, this design can be found on other apparel options; see some of the choices here.

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This is a cool pop art design featuring the face of a Barred Owl. The photo is shown four times in a checkerboard pattern, with the face on a black background contrasting with the image inverted.

This is a photo of a captive, non-releasable education Barred Owl. At the time the photo was taken, the bird was on the glove of a trained handler.

The pop art bird design is shown here on a crew neck sweatshirt. If you'd like a different shirt style, you can pick from over a hundred different color and cut combinations by using Zazzle's easy apparel customization tools. See other gift option ideas below!

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Here's a fun and affordable gift idea the birdwatcher, bird lover, or owl fan in your life. This is a huge pack of 100 different owl stickers!

The variety pack of owl stickers includes a nice mix of realistic avian illustrations and fun cartoon birds. Find funny owls with cute slogans and whimsical illustrations of owls in different poses and styles.

You can give this big pack of owl stickers as a gift, or use the stickers to embellish gifts. Put an owl on it!

Easy, fast, and affordable gift tip: Check out your local dollar store for "blank" items to add owl flair for a unique gift idea. Some ideas: water bottle; flower vase; acrylic or glass beverage glasses; coffee mugs; other plastic or glass containers; or phone cases.

These stickers are also great for adding owl charm to things like lunch boxes; hard-sided computer or device cases; binoculars; laptops; helmets; kayaks; bicycles; and more! You can even put them on smooth walls to decorate a room!

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It may be the dead of winter now, but spring migration will be here before you know it. Get ready by learning your Empidonax flycatchers. You'll have to put time into learning their calls, because learning their field marks may prove useless in a lot of cases. And during the spring, you can bet they'll be singing!

This handy and funny mnemonic design lists the most pesky Empids: Alder Flycatcher, Least Flycatcher, Willow Flycatcher, Acadian Flycatcher, and Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. Get these down in time and you won't have to list any Empidonax sp. the entire year! Just remember ALWAY, or wear this shirt on your spring birding trips to keep them straight.

Shown here on a unisex t-shirt , this fun birder design is available on a variety of different apparel styles and other gift items. See some more ideas below.

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Add "phile" to the end of a word or word stem to indicate love. A Larophile is someone who loves birds in the Laridae family -- gulls and allies. 

The word larophile comes from larus, the Latin root for gull, combined with -phile, meaning “lover of.” Quite simply, a larophile is someone who loves gulls. While gulls often get an unfair reputation as noisy beach scavengers, true larophiles know that these birds are intelligent, adaptable, and surprisingly diverse, ranging from the petite Little Gull to the impressive Great Black-backed Gull. Birders who call themselves larophiles often enjoy the challenge of identifying gull species, which can be tricky due to their variable plumages and seasonal changes. For them, every gull is worth a closer look.

This hat was made for anyone who loves to study and observe gulls. Gull foot yellow text reads "LAROPHILE" while an adult gull soars by. Can you ID this bird? Help shade your eyes from blinding sun glare with this gull lover hat.

Find more fun Larophile gift ideas below, or click the buy button to purchase this hat.

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