Listers: A Glimpse Into Extreme Birdwatching
- Christopher Bensley
- Oct 8
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 15
A new film by Owen and Quentin Reiser
Until a friend recommended the new feature documentary, Listers, I hadn’t seen a decent birding film that riveted me. Listers, by Owen and Quentin Reiser, is a wild, funny, and unexpectedly heartfelt look at what happens when two brothers decide to do something totally ridiculous: tackle a Big Year across the Lower 48 states with no birding experience. It’s a spoof that will entice you to learn more about the curious world of birds.
A "Big Year" in birding lingo is a year-long scavenger hunt where birders try to spot as many species as possible. Most people who attempt it have years of practice. The Reiser brothers, on the other hand, jump in cold. Their thinking? If you’re going to learn, why not go all in? What follows is part adventure, part endurance test, and part love letter to obsession.
What follows is part adventure, part endurance test, and part love letter to obsession. Listers captures every high and low—rare birds, broken-down vans, sleepless nights, and mosquito hell. Watching the brothers chase rarities across the country feels exhausting and exhilarating at the same time. The brothers themselves are what make the film shine. You can’t help but root for them. They’re funny, self-deprecating, and totally unpretentious.
They treat birding with the right mix of passion and absurdity, showing how the hobby can be both deeply rewarding and a little nuts. There’s genuine joy in their banter, their camaraderie, and their willingness to look ridiculous in the name of finding one more species. It’s hard not to smile—or laugh out loud—at their antics.
Visually, Listers looks great. The cinematography includes stunning shots of rare birds like the Snail Kite and Montezuma Quail. And beyond the birds themselves, the film highlights the broader birding community—quirky, diverse, and full of unexpected characters you might meet at a trailhead or rest stop.
Underneath all the laughs and road miles, Listers also gets into bigger questions about modern birding: the role of apps, the ethics of playback, and the line between passion and obsession. Whether you’re a lifelong birder or just curious what drives people to chase birds across the country, Listers is an entertaining, honest, and surprisingly relatable ride through one of the strangest and most joyful corners of the outdoor world. Watch Trailer.
Further Reading
Owen and Quentin Reiser take us behind the scenes of “Listers” and preview their next project.
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