Identifying Birds
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Identifying the Birds You See
Spotting a bird is one thing, identifying it is another story. With over 10,000 species of birds in the world, no one is an expert right from the start. It takes time and practice. Follow the steps listed below and you will be on your way!
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
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.
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: $12.14 (as of 06/01/2012)![]()
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 will be valuable to anyone interested in birds, from beginner to expert. It's the perfect gift for any birder - or anyone with a bird feeder.
Selecting a pair of Binoculars
Peterson's Field Guide to Birds
Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America (Peterson Field Guide Series)
Amazon Price: $12.55 (as of 06/01/2012)![]()
An absolute must have for anyone with an interest in watching the birds.
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?
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HarmonyArtMom
Jan 14, 2011 @ 10:03 am | delete
- We haven't seen anything too unusual but lots of birds are at the feeders now that it is cold. I enjoyed your lens and think it is very helpful for beginners. Good specific tips.
I'm adding to my favorites, lensrolling to my nature lenses, and blessing.
***Blessed by an Angel***
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Birdboy13
Jan 10, 2011 @ 11:37 am | delete
- Alrighty, so I was in Twin Lake, MI (north of Muskegon) and saw the most puzzling bird. The primary color was yellow. Had yellow wing bars. (not an American Goldfinch in winter plumage because the wings were not black) It stayed up high in the treetops of the mixed forest. It was a sunny day, about 2 feet of snow on the ground. It kept making a sharp, high tsweep! Thin bill like a wood warbler. Very energetic. Mingled with Tufted Titmice. Can anyone help??? I am pretty sure it was a wood warbler but do any winter in Twin Lake, MI? Please help.
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JoyfulPamela
Oct 22, 2010 @ 1:04 pm | delete
- Yes, all the time! Thanks for your helpful tips. : )
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naturegirl7 Mar 22, 2010 @ 11:53 am | delete
- We've seen a lot of them, over on an Early Spring Nature Walk ( http://www.squidoo.com/early-spring-nature-walk ), where Identifying birds has been featured.
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Chinajoy
Mar 18, 2010 @ 4:59 pm | delete
- Wow there are some great pics on this lens. I also love the easy to read and informative identification on here. I like to draw. One of the things I have been working on is a series of drawings of Tennessee birds. Check out a few of the the drawings on the Tennessee Bird Drawings lens.
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About the Author
Bird Watcher's Digest
Bird Watchers Digest
Amazon Price: $16.99 (as of 06/01/2012)![]()
Keep current with what's happening in the birding world. Bird Watcher's Digest offers great articles and pictures, as well as information on conservation efforts and research. I receive several birding magazines each month but its Bird Watcher's that has me dropping everything to sit down and read.
6 issues/12 months
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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