Detective puts birding to work in new Netflix show

In the trailer for Netflix's new series "The Residence," we immediately recognized the lead actor — Uzo Aduba — from her award-winning role as Suzanne "Crazy Eyes" Warren in "Orange is the New Black." Her performance in that show was unforgettable, earning her two Emmys. For that reason alone, we decided to give "The Residence" a try. Just moments into the first episode, we were surprised — and delighted — to discover that the character Aduba plays, Detective Cordelia Cupp, is not only a brilliant and eccentric investigator, but also an unabashedly avid birder. She's introduced in a tweed blazer with binoculars slung around her neck, summoned to the White House to solve a complicated murder amid the chaos of a state dinner. From there, birdwatching becomes more than a character quirk — it becomes a framework for her entire investigative approach. Detective Cupp is a brilliant, idiosyncratic sleuth whose passion for birding is integral to her detective work. Her deep knowledge of bird behavior sharpens her ability to read people, observe hidden dynamics and spot the subtle clues others overlook. Her patience and attention to detail — skills gained in the field with birds — help her navigate a cast of suspicious characters with quiet confidence. The show doesn't just mention birds; it allows birding to shape her methods and metaphors. Of course, birding requires many of the same qualities that make a great detective: patience, curiosity, sharp observation, research skills and the ability to listen closely. Birders know how to wait patiently for a moment that may never come (such as when Detective Cupp chases her "nemesis bird.") It's a thrill to see that mindset not only depicted on screen but used as a core strength of a main character. Birders, of course, have long been cast in pop culture as eccentric, obsessive, even a little unhinged — waking up at absurd hours or dropping everything for a rare sighting. The stereotype is often played for laughs, portraying birders as quirky outsiders, slightly out of step with the "normal" world. Despite birding's surge in popularity — especially in recent years — it's surprising how few movies or television shows feature birdwatchers as lead or significant characters. The cult-like classic "The Big Year" (2011), starring Steve Martin, Jack Black and Owen Wilson, remains the most recognizable birding-focused film. A charming coming-of-age story, "A Birder's Guide to Everything" (2013), centers around a teenage boy on a quest to identify a possibly extinct duck. A few TV episodes, like "Birds of Prey" from "Midsomer Murders" and an early "Murder, She Wrote," incorporate birding into their plots, but the hobby is not often treated with depth or respect. For birders, it's a rare thrill to see someone on screen who shares our passion. That's what makes "The Residence" so refreshing. It's a fast-moving, eight-episode whodunit packed with twists and red herrings. Detective Cupp's interviews are masterful — watching her work through suspects with calm confidence and playful sharpness is a joy. The show lets viewers solve the mystery alongside her, breadcrumb by breadcrumb, flipping the script just when you think you've got it figured out. Detective Cupp often seems unimpressed — perhaps even quietly exasperated — by the arrogant and powerful people who posture around her, clinging to status and predictability. It's a sentiment that may feel familiar to many birders, who often find greater meaning in the quiet order of nature than in the noise of the world's stage. In that respect, she shares my admiration for birds — their unwavering focus, their resilience in the face of daily survival and the courage with which they navigate a world full of danger. "You know who doesn't have that ability? All of you," Detective Cupp tells a room full of people jumping to conclusions. There were several specific bird references, many common or general species, like woodpecker, warbler, screech owl and song sparrow. However, some species were rather unfamiliar to this area, including the dimorphic jewel-babbler (never heard of it), yellow-throated longclaw, golden-headed quetzal and pale-footed swallow. The yellow-throated longclaw looks a lot like an eastern meadowlark, which Detective Cupp uses as an example of context, "Easy to confuse them," she emphasizes, "but if you know where each lives, it's preposterous." The yellow-throated longclaw is native to Africa. If you enjoy murder mystery shows, "The Residence" is well worth watching. The birding perspective serves as a subtle-but-meaningful backdrop — one that can be interpreted as an idiosyncratic and charming character or as a celebration of admirable qualities like observation, patience and quiet intellect. I would have enjoyed the show even without the birding references, though perhaps eight episodes stretched the mystery a bit thin. My compliments to the writer who kept the characters and storyline straight. It's a fresh, clever take on the genre, and for birders especially, it feels like a small victory to share our world through her binoculars. It was released in March and there is already talk of a second season. When the police chief suggests to Detective Cupp that "It's not just about the birds," she quickly responds, "It is always just about the birds!" My wife and I agree. Black River Audubon Field Trip Field Trip: Steel Mill Trail Saturday, June 21, 2025, 9:00 am Old Colorado Avenue Sheffield, OH, 44054 Meetup Location: Parking lot off of Old Colorado Ave (behind former Anderson's Automotive Center). Lake Breeze Road (Sheffield) ends at Old Colorado Ave, turn left and parking lot will be on the right.