Q&A with author Jeff Reiter (The Best of Words on Birds)

Our latest book is called The Best of Words on Birds, written by Jeff Reiter. It’s a collection of the best Words on Birds columns he has written for the Daily Herald. Jeff is a birder and has a passion for the hobby. If you or someone you know is similarly inclined, this book is for you. Click here to pre-order. The book ships later this month.

This week we sat down with Jeff and had a conversation about The Best of Words on Birds.

Rick: So the fans of your “Words on Birds” column in the Daily Herald have a pretty good idea of what they’ll be getting in the pages of this book. How would you describe it to people who don’t follow your column?

Jeff: Words on Birds, or WOB as I call it, has always been about birds, birding and birders. Most of my columns follow one of those three paths, which are obviously closely connected. So one month I might write about a specific species, typically a common bird like the Northern Cardinal or Red-winged Blackbird. I’ll profile the bird and share some interesting or surprising facts about it. The book has a section called Everyday Wonders with columns like these. The next column might be about a birding adventure I went on or tips on how to get more enjoyment from the hobby and see more birds. I try to address all kinds of birding, including backyard birding and birding away from home. And then occasionally I’ll write about an individual birder who has good stories to tell, expertise to share, or who has a unique approach to watching birds. My next column, in fact, is about a guy from Naperville who is on a quest to see as many kinds of hummingbirds as he can. Next year he will probably see his 250th species. That’s incredible, especially when you consider there is only one hummingbird species commonly found east of the Mississippi River! I’ll write about bird conservation, of course, and now and then do a book review. There’s even a very personal column in the book about my late parents, and how they influenced my love of birds and birding.

Rick: You say that this book appeals to all different levels of birders, and that’s definitely true. Describe the different types of birders and give an example of how each of them might find something of value in the book.

Jeff: Newer birders will find practical advice about feeders, binoculars, technology and such, and even some not-so-serious stuff about the nature of the hobby. They need to know what they’re getting into! The book has a whole section on tips, tools and strategies. The section called “Yard Work” will appeal to those who mainly watch their backyard feeders and bird houses–they are birders just as much as those who travel to see new birds. I think birders who enjoy adding to their life lists and “chasing” new species will relate to the columns about birding in places far from home and my stories about seeing special birds for the first time. All birders can appreciate the excitement of seeing a “lifer,” right? The columns about rare-bird “stakeouts” are fun, too, because birders seem to enjoy reminiscing about special birds that we all saw together. But a theme throughout the book is that there are many, many ways to enjoy birding. Nobody should feel any pressure to bird a certain way. I almost can’t believe I’m saying this but you can be a birder without keeping a list of any kind! We should all bird in a way that makes us happy.

Rick: The first time we met, you giggled when I told you my name was Rick. There’s a character in the birder movie “The Big Year” named Rick, and a famous line that you and your family use from it. Care to share it with the rest of the class? Also, I didn’t realize that movie (starring Jack Black, Steve Martin, Owen Wilson and others) is based on a true story. Have you ever met any of the real birders they portray in the movie.

Jeff: Oh man, I love that movie, and the book by Mark Obmascik is even better! Birders quote favorite lines from “The Big Year” the way golfers quote “Caddyshack.” The line you are referring to comes when a non-birder named Rick teases the competitive birder played by Steve Martin for spending so much time “birdwatching.” Martin looks him in the eye for several seconds and then says, “It’s called birding, Rick.” His delivery is perfect—you must watch the movie to appreciate that particular moment. Yes, I have met one of the actual Big Year birders, the one portrayed by Jack Black. His name is Greg Miller and he was on the movie set during filming. Now he leads birding tours and attends a lot of birding festivals around the country. Super nice guy.

(Photo: Greg Miller and Jeff)

Rick: We didn’t know that you were so well known in the birder world when we signed you. You’re a birder celebrity. Our next book is going to be by famous artist Tony Fitzpatrick, and when we told him that he was going to follow you, he said, “Jeff Reiter? I know that guy!” What was it that propelled you so you deep into the birder world?

Jeff: You are definitely inflating my status! But it’s nice that Tony remembers me. We’ve crossed paths a few times because he’s a birder, too. I love his work, including a couple of giant bird murals in downtown Glen Ellyn, where I live. Anyway, I’m by no means a celebrity but writing a newspaper column for 20-plus years has certainly put my name and face out there. I do like mingling with the “rock stars” of the birding community — I attend their keynote talks, and read their books, magazine articles, and blog posts. People like Kenn Kaufman, Scott Weidensaul, and Julie Zickefoose are my birding and writing heroes. I admire who they are, what they’ve accomplished, and their important places in the hobby. They don’t know it, but they’ve mentored me.

I’m a joiner and a donor, supporting the American Birding Association, American Bird Conservancy, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and the International Crane Foundation, to name a few key organizations. They’re doing important work and I would encourage all birders to check them out. Chicago Bird Alliance and Illinois Audubon deserve our support, too. The hobby gives us so much and we should give back if we’re able. That’s one reason I keep writing my column, which I do on a volunteer basis.

Rick: Montrose Harbor is one of those locations in Chicago where birders gather to see birds, especially during the migration season. What are some of the other Chicagoland locations that are famous for their variety of birds?

Jeff: One of the great things about birding is that birds are everywhere. That makes the hobby extremely accessible. Some places are “birdier” than others, of course, but it’s nice that on any given day you can count on seeing some birds in your backyard, at the park down the street, or even at a baseball game, as I describe in the book. And during the spring and fall migration periods, just about anywhere you go will have some interesting birds if you take time to look. Chicagoland birders are lucky to have so many options. The forest preserves in this region are outstanding! Every county has ample green space. My advice is to explore different parks and preserves and pick a few favorites that are convenient. Visit them often, and go in all seasons. Watch how the birdlife changes. Sample the different habitats, too. A place with lots of open fields will have a completely different set of birds than you’ll find in a woodland or marsh environment.

Rick: You also travel all over the country and the world to see birds. What is the rarest bird on your list and where did you see it? I take it you haven’t come across a Kaempfer’s Tody Tyrant or a Kaempfer’s Woodpecker in your journeys?

Jeff: No, I’ll need to pop down to Brazil to see your namesake birds! Maybe someday I will! I’ve birded all around the U.S. but not the world. My only international birding has been the U.K. and Ireland. My life list is quite small compared to those of other serious birders. To put things in perspective, I recently saw my 600th bird, a Dusky Flycatcher in Colorado. Remember the Naperville guy I mentioned, the hummingbird chaser? He’s been to 30 countries and has 5,345 birds on his life list! That’s almost half of all the birds in the world. Now that I’m retired I can finally make plans for Costa Rica, Panama, and other bird-rich places I’ve been dreaming of.

All this being said, I am not too concerned with numbers — I’m in no hurry to reach my next milestone, which would be 700 birds. I have a sticker on my car that says “One Bird at a Time.” That’s sort of my retirement motto, a reminder to slow down and enjoy every bird and experience.

As for my rarest bird, probably Whooping Crane, seen in Nebraska. But what makes a rare bird rare? This makes an interesting discussion, and it’s in the book. The word “rare” can have different meanings depending on your perspective. Some birds are rare in terms of their total population like Whooping Crane or the Kirtland’s Warbler in Michigan. But that doesn’t mean they are extremely hard to find. If you know where and when to go you will see them. Other species can be far more elusive. For example, it took me many years to finally spot a Worm-eating Warbler. As birders would say, it was my “nemesis bird.” To me it was absolutely the rarest bird on earth. Finally seeing one was a magical moment—that’s in the book, too!

Rick: The photographs in your book are amazing. Just breathtaking. Is there one that you are particularly proud of?

Jeff: I love the Great Gray Owl by Matt Zuro, and also his Scissor-tailed Flycatcher on the cover. I am so grateful to the many photographers who shared their images for the book. The photo section really adds to the product. I also depend on my photographer friends for the monthly newspaper column. Nothing catches a reader’s eye like an outstanding bird photo!

Rick: And finally, talk about the birder community, the size and scope of it, and what makes a birder tick. This book is like a love letter to their pursuit, isn’t it?

Jeff: Birders are the best people. I find them to be incredibly friendly and helpful. They love the hobby and want to share it. My book would not have been possible without them. The pandemic helped to grow the community — birding, like gardening and golf, was an activity that drew people outside when they needed it most. I know that membership in the DuPage Birding Club almost doubled and the club’s bird walks were filled to capacity. Participation all across the country took off, which was great to see.

Data show that about 96 million Americans now enjoy watching birds on some level–double from 20 years ago. Part of the growth is due to technology, with people discovering apps such as Merlin, which is like Shazam for bird songs. It’s wildly popular. But accessibility helps, too. This is an easy hobby to enter, with many ways to enjoy it.

When you ask about what makes a birder tick, it’s all over the board. I think we all approach the hobby a little differently. For some it’s all about the thrill of the chase, travel to new places, or finding the latest gear and tech. For others it might be a very simple, like just enjoying the beauty of birds, common or rare, and connecting with nature. You might say there are birders and birdwatchers, and both are good! We’re all in it together at whatever level we choose. I hope my book brings some fun context to the hobby and, ideally, inspires people to think and care more about our wild birds.

(Note: If you would like to book Jeff to appear at an event, a book club, or you’d like to interview him, contact Rick Kaempfer at Eckhartz Press rick@eckhartzpress.com)

Comments

Diann Bilderback says

Aug. 4, 2025 at 8:59 am

Such an interesting interview! I love what Jeff has done to evangelize the pleasure of engaging with birds. If birding is “having a moment,” Jeff is one of the people who importantly nurtured the interest of new birders and bird nerds alike.

- Jeff Reiter says
  
  Sep. 8, 2025 at 11:22 am
  
  Thanks Diann, glad you enjoyed it. You play a big role in promoting the hobby too, with your deep involvement with DuPage Birding Club and the Bird Conservation Network. I was honored to include your endorsement on my book’s back cover!
  
Lisa Bryant says

Aug. 8, 2025 at 12:13 pm

Not a birder myself, but I’ve always admired people who have that kind of passion for anything. Jeff’s enthusiasm for birds is the real deal—decades deep and widely contagious. This was a fun read even for those of us who can’t tell a warbler from a wigeon.

- Jeff Reiter says
  
  Sep. 8, 2025 at 11:17 am
  
  Thanks Lisa. But would you know a woodcock from a woodchuck??? I really appreciate your kind words AND your attending my book launch on September 4. BTW, I KNOW that you have a bird feeder on your patio. If you are not a birder then you are getting very close.
  
Cheryl Felix says

Aug. 25, 2025 at 5:07 pm

Great interview!! Touching on key moments that have been part of my birding life as well. Jeff has always been a very down to earth person and birder, welcoming people of all skill levels to participate and enjoy this wonderful life love and hobby. After reading one of his columns years back on The Great Grey Owl and Sax Zim Bog I took a trip with a fellow birder and loved every moment. Thanks Jeff for your columns, your book and sharing your insights over the years.

- Jeff Reiter says
  
  Sep. 8, 2025 at 11:19 am
  
  Thanks Cheryl, really appreciate your nice comments and support. So glad you made it to Sax Zim. I need to go back and find a Northern Hawk Owl!

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