What is a Life List?
A Life List is a cumulative record of every bird species a birder has identified in their lifetime. For many, it's a prized possession representing years of travel and observation.
Don't just keep it hidden in a database. Use our tool to format your life list into a clean, multi-column document. Print it out and keep it in your journal.
Backup Your Data
Digital data can be lost. Having a physical copy of your life list is a great backup. Plus, it's easier to show to friends and family than scrolling through a phone app.
How to Format a Long List
If you have hundreds of birds, our tool is perfect. Set the "Columns" to 4 and "Density" to "Compact". You can fit a massive amount of species on just a few pages.
Simply export your list from your tracking software (like eBird), copy the names, and paste them here. We will clean up the formatting automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I create and organize my birding life list?
Export your complete bird list from your tracking app (like eBird) or compile it from your field notes. Copy all the species names and paste them into our tool using the "Paste Text" tab. Set columns to 4 and density to "Compact" to fit hundreds of species efficiently. Print it and keep it in your birding journal as a permanent backup and visual representation of your birding journey.
What's the best way to format a long bird life list for printing?
For lists over 100 species, use 4 columns with "Compact" density. This fits approximately 120-150 species per page. You can organize alphabetically (most common), taxonomically (following field guide order), or chronologically (order you saw them). Add your total count in the title like "My Life List (437 Species)" for a satisfying milestone marker.
Why should I print my life list if I have it digitally?
Digital data can be lost to server outages, app shutdowns, or device failures. A printed life list is a physical artifact of years of dedication—something to show family, share with fellow birders, or frame. Many birders report that seeing their entire list on paper for the first time is an emotional, powerful experience that digital screens can't replicate.