Identifying the Birds You See
Preparation.
There are several things you need to do before you can graduate from simply watching and enjoying the birds to identifying them.1. You need a field guide for your area. A field guide is a book with pictures and tips for identifying birds. There are several excellent books on the market today. For help in selecting a bird watching field guide check out Selecting a Bird Watching Field Guide
2. You will need a notebook or journal to record identifying features and other pertinent data.
3. You need a pair of binoculars or a scope to see the birds. Some birds, like the Robin and Cardinal can be identified with the naked eye, others cannot. With a pair of Binoculars, you will be able to see the details needed to identify the bird.
4. Become an expert on the birds in your area. It will narrow down the choices when it comes to identifying a new species visiting your yard.
Popular Birdwatching Field Guides
My name is Jay, but they call me Blue
Spotting and identify a bird.
1. Note the size of the bird.2. What color are various body parts (wings, head, tail, etc.)
3. Does it have any distinct markings?
4. Where did you see it?
5. What time of day was it?
6. Was it eating? If so, was it drinking nectar, eating fruit, insects, or seeds?
7. Listen to its bird calls and songs. As you gain more experience, you will be able to identify birds by their sound.
8. If you have a camera, take a picture of the bird in question. You can use the picture for further study if you do not identify it on the spot.
Hey! This is MY house!
Be Patient
The speed with which you can identify a bird will increase as your knowledge and skill develop. Consider joining a local birding group. Most bird watchers will be more than happy to share their tips and techniques with you. Before you know it, you will be the expert helping a beginner determine if the bird they see is a Purple Finch or a House Sparrow. Common Birds and Their Songs
Common Birds and Their Songs (Book and Audio CD)
Amazon Price: $14.96 (as of 07/10/2009)
This book-audio package provides a unique introduction to fifty of the most familiar birds of North America and the songs they sing. Common Birds and Their Songs is a valuable tool for all birders, from beginner to expert. It's the perfect gift for any birder - or anyone with a bird feeder.
Selecting a pair of Binoculars
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Selecting a Pair of Bird Watching Binoculars
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When I look out my window and watch the birds flutter around the birdfeeder, I really don't need a pair of binoculars or a scope to enjoy the sight. I frequently stop by the window and watch the birds for a minute or two between household tasks. (Occ...
America's 100 Most Wanted Birds
America's 100 Most Wanted Birds
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
If you want to see a gyrfalcon or a fork-tailed flycatcher, this resource might be your best help in spotting them. Mostly for serious birders intent on adding species to their life lists, America's 100 Most Wanted Birds provides detailed strategies for locating 100 of the most uncommon-to-rare bird species in the United States.
Some of My Favorite Backyard Birds
The Bold and BeautifulThe American Goldfinch
The Blue Jay
The Northern Cardinal
Cheerful Singers
The European Starling
The Northern Mockingbird
The American Robin
The Shy Ones
The Eastern Bluebird
The Carolina Wren
Have you seen any interesting birds lately?
AndyPo wrote...
Very useful. I'm not very good at identifying birds, but I try. It's easier in England where we have fewer varieties, but when I'm in USA I'm always amazed at how many similar ones you have.
Posted June 07, 2009
Evelyn_Saenz wrote...
Another wonderful bird lens as always.
Thank you for adding this lens to the Walk in the Woods Group.
Posted January 05, 2009
About the Author
Lensmaster ElizabethJeanAllen, aka Lizzy Jean, has been a member since March 16 2008, has rated 3,690 lenses, favorited 454, and has created 169 lenses from scratch. Lizzy Jean donates their royalties to Squidoo Charity Fund. This member's top-ranked page is "The Mallard Duck". See all my lenses
Why Birds Do That
Why Birds Do That: 40 Distinctive Bird Behaviors Explained & Photographed
Amazon Price: $12.44 (as of 07/10/2009)
Birds are fascinating. Their behavior is complex, often comical. Some sing while others do not. Why Birds Do That explains forty distinctive bird behaviors and is enhanced with numerous photographs. It is a must have book for both the backyard bird watcher as well as the avid birder.
Resources used to construct this page.
Peterson, T.P. & Peterson, V.M. 2002. Birds of Eastern and Central North America, Fifth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, New York, N.Y.
How to ID Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Beginning Birding - Ten Tips for New Bird Watchers
by ElizabethJeanAllen
I tell my students to Learn from the Past, Live in the Present, and Plan for the Future. With Squidoo I can do all three.
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