We sent out another list of questions to bird guides who have already been profiled on 10,000 Birds. In the fifth edition of this second series, we ask

What makes a client memorable—for good or bad reasons?

Here are the answers.

For good: someone who is interested not just in having a tick of species. For bad: those who disregard birds’ behavior and protection. Gabor Orban, Hungary/Costa Rica

Knowledgeable-for good. Arrogant-for bad. Zhang Lin, China

If they get excited about seeing the birds and tell you how much they are enjoying the trip. The more the clients interact with me, the better the trip is. I always enjoy it when the clients enjoy a good laugh and have fun. Marc Cronje, East and Southern Africa

People who are genuinely kind and interested will always be remembered. The ones with issues that they project onto others are also remembered, but never invited back! David Lindo, Spain

I had a nightmarish group of 10 who were demanding, impatient, and entitled (to varying degrees). Two of those, over the course of the two-week trip, realised how the others were treating me and started acting as a sort of buffer. At dinner, they’d always sit with me or between the rest of the group and me. They didn’t have to, but they did. That kindness will stay with me forever. Faraaz Abdool, Trinidad & Tobago

A curious mind and sense of humour. The bad, entitlement! John Hague, UK

Curiosity and humility. A client who asks thoughtful questions and delights in every bird—even the common ones—becomes unforgettable. On the other hand, dismissiveness (“just another sparrow”) leaves a bitter impression. Marcelo Carlos De Cruzky, Argentina

How he/she relates to the local people always leaves a memory. Kwame Brown, Ghana

From my experience, memorable clients stand out in how they engage with the experience, the environment, and the people around them. The ones I remember fondly were curious, patient, and open to learning. They celebrate not just the “big sightings,” but also the small moments—the calls in the distance, the behavior, the story behind each species. They listen, respect nature, keep time, and bring positive energy to the day. A simple sense of appreciation and humility goes a long way. On the other hand, challenging clients are often those with unrealistic expectations, impatience, or little regard for the rhythm of nature. Rushing sightings, disregarding guidance, or focusing only on checklists can take away from the experience—for themselves and others. In the end, the most memorable clients are not defined by what they see, but by how they choose to experience it. Magada Haily Miriam, Uganda

A flexible birder that trusts the guide in all aspects of birding, enjoys a good meal, is open to non-birding conversations. Spyros Skareas, Greece

No comment! Derek Lovich, Maine, USA

A memorable good client is the one who cares about the well-being of his guide, especially regarding his accommodation during long tours. A memorable bad client is the one who gets in a very bad mood after missing a bird or tries to change the itinerary in the middle of the trip.. René Santos, Brazil

When they are beginner birdwatchers, they get excited about every bird they spot. This is also true when they’re looking for specific species and have a lot of experience in birdwatching, and when they’re passionate about plants and butterflies, and lead us to explore other specific areas using field guides. Sandra Maria Plua Alban, Ecuador

Whether my client is 8 or 88, the most memorable trips are those with an unstoppable drive for birding. That shared energy actually changes the results of our tour!

• Low Focus: We might only see 75% of what’s out there.
• Solo Effort: I can usually find around 100 species.
• The “Power Duo”: When a guest is truly engaged, we feed off each other’s energy and can reach a staggering 150 species in that trip.

Your enthusiasm is the secret ingredient to a legendary bird count! Savio Fonseca, India

Enthusiastic and inquisitive customers are great. I don’t like superficial collectors – they see the bird (even the liver) for two seconds and quickly move on to the next liver. Complainers are awful – a good tip is very welcome. Rolf Nessing, Germany

The editor almost never shuts up:

Guides remember clients less for their bird lists than for their attitude. The most appreciated guests are curious, enthusiastic, patient, respectful toward nature and local people, and genuinely interested in sharing the experience rather than simply collecting species. Many guides value humor, kindness, flexibility, and positive energy, noting that engaged clients often improve the atmosphere — and even the birding results — for everyone. By contrast, difficult clients are typically described as arrogant, entitled, impatient, dismissive of common birds, or overly focused on ticking species.

Photo: Pallas Leaf Warbler, Nanhui, Shanghai, November 2017