If you’ve ever chased a rare bird… you’ll understand this book.
A hilarious collection of birding cartoons that captures the strange, obsessive and wonderfully relatable world of birdwatching.
Created by Australian bird guide and cartoonist David Kowalick, Birding Cartoons is the perfect book for birders who can laugh at themselves — and their birding friends.
The perfect gift for birders
Birders know this world.
The lists. The scopes. The rare-bird panic. The long drives. The impossible explanations to non-birders. This book turns the birding life into cartoons every birder will recognise.
For anyone who has driven hours for a very brief view.
For the birder who definitely heard something diagnostic.
For anyone whose holiday planning starts with a species list.
For the friend who owns more optics than shoes.
For bird clubs, twitchers, listers and patch birders.
Not just cartoons. Birding culture on the page.
This book is funny because it comes from inside the birding community. It understands the habits, the language and the little obsessions that make birders birders.
Relatable
Cartoons that birders instantly recognise from real trips, club outings and rare-bird chases.
Giftable
A simple, memorable gift for birthdays, Christmas, bird club prizes and retirement presents.
Shareable
The sort of book birders leave on the coffee table, pass around and show to friends.
What birders are saying
“I laughed because I know these people. I may even be one of them.”
— Birding Cartoons reader“The perfect gift for anyone who takes birdwatching just a little too seriously.”
— Bird club member“Painfully accurate, very funny, and clearly created by someone who knows birders.”
— Australian birder
The easy gift for the birder who already has every field guide.
Great for birdwatchers, twitchers, bird photographers, bird club members, tour leaders and anyone who has ever whispered, “Was that a lifer?”
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Questions
Is this book only for serious birders?
No. Serious birders will recognise the jokes immediately, but the humour also works for casual birdwatchers and people who know a birder.
Is it a good gift?
Yes. It is especially suited to birders who already own field guides, binoculars and birding gear.
Can I buy it outside Australia?
Yes. Australian customers can buy direct. International customers can purchase through major online book retailers in their region.
Looking for the perfect gift for a bird lover?
The Perfect Gift for Birders
Buying a gift for someone who loves birdwatching isn't always easy. Most experienced birders already own the essentials—field guides, binoculars, spotting scopes and outdoor gear. That's why so many family members and friends end up searching for something different: a gift that's thoughtful, personal and guaranteed to raise a smile.
Birding Cartoons is exactly that. Created by Australian cartoonist and passionate birder David Kowalick, this unique collection celebrates the lighter side of birdwatching. Rather than teaching bird identification, it captures the shared experiences that birders instantly recognise—from driving hundreds of kilometres only to discover the rare bird disappeared five minutes earlier, to trying to identify "just one more little brown bird", or joining the inevitable discussion about binoculars, spotting scopes and who actually saw the bird first.
Because the humour comes from real birding experiences, readers often find themselves laughing in recognition rather than simply reading jokes. The cartoons celebrate the friendships, frustrations, triumphs and wonderfully obsessive moments that make birding such an enjoyable hobby.
Unlike another field guide that spends most of its time on a bookshelf, Birding Cartoons is a book people return to again and again. It's the sort of book that's left on the coffee table, shared with visiting friends, passed around at bird club meetings and enjoyed whenever someone needs a reminder that every birder has experienced exactly the same things.
Whether you're buying for a birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, Mother's Day or retirement, Birding Cartoons makes a memorable gift for birders and birdwatchers of every experience level. Beginners enjoy discovering the culture of birding, while experienced birders appreciate the countless references that only fellow enthusiasts truly understand.
If you're looking for a gift that says, "I know how much you love birdwatching," Birding Cartoons is a thoughtful, entertaining and genuinely original choice.
The perfect gift for birders
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Birding Cartoons a good gift for birders?
Absolutely. Many readers purchase Birding Cartoons as birthday, Christmas, retirement and special occasion gifts for birdwatchers and bird lovers. It’s especially popular with birders who enjoy humour and cartoons that capture the realities of birdwatching.
Do you need to be a serious birder to enjoy the book?
Not at all. While experienced birders will recognise many of the jokes instantly, casual bird lovers and nature enthusiasts also enjoy the humour, artwork and relatable situations.
What kind of humour is in the book?
The book features light-hearted birdwatching humour inspired by real birding experiences, including twitching, field guides, photography, travel, bird calls, rarity chasing and everyday birding adventures.
Is this suitable as a coffee-table book?
Yes. Birding Cartoons is designed to be easy to pick up and browse casually, making it ideal for coffee tables, waiting rooms, bird lodges and nature-themed spaces.
Who created Birding Cartoons?
The cartoons were created by Australian cartoonist and birder David Kowalick, whose work has been enjoyed by birders around the world.
Is the humour suitable for all ages?
Yes. The book is family-friendly and suitable for bird lovers of all ages.
Is this book suitable for beginner birdwatchers?
Definitely. Beginners often enjoy discovering the humour and culture of birdwatching through the cartoons, while experienced birders appreciate the deeper references and inside jokes.
What makes Birding Cartoons different from other bird books?
Unlike field guides or photography books, Birding Cartoons focuses on the humour, personalities and shared experiences within birdwatching culture, making it both entertaining and highly relatable.
Is this a good retirement gift for birdwatchers?
Yes. Many people choose Birding Cartoons as a retirement gift for birders, especially for those planning more travel, birdwatching and outdoor adventures in retirement.
Know a birder? This is their book.
Funny, relatable and full of birding moments that feel a little too familiar.