Are You a Newbie at Bird Watching? Here’s How You Identify Birds
If you enjoy watching birds, you might want to know how to identify them, too. It can be exciting to find a bird you haven’t seen before, but it’s even more exciting to be able to identify them. It’s not always a simple thing to do, though. It can be frustrating if you don’t have the proper information to work with. Having a good field guide is a good way to start. However, you’ll also need to glean some knowledge on your own before you can even use the field guide properly. If you’re just starting out as a bird watcher, then, there are a few things you can do that will help you identify birds more accurately.
The Size of the Bird
One thing that will help you identify birds is to first take a look at the size of the bird you are trying to identify. Is it about the size of a large ostrich, maybe chicken size, about the size of a small sparrow, or perhaps the size of a robin? Also, consider whether the bird is plump, on the skinny side, short, or very long. The entire body should be taken into consideration, including the size of the beak, the size of the tail, and the size and shape of the wings as well.
What Color or Pattern Is the Bird?
What colors does the bird exhibit? Certain birds tend to exhibit certain colors, so you can identify some birds by color or pattern alone. However, colors, too, can be tricky. The lighting can affect the color so that the bird appears a different color than he or she really is. In addition, make sure you note colors on each part of the body as well. Are the legs of a certain color, or are the wings? Are there any specific and unique markings anywhere on the body that you could use to help identify the bird?
Where are You?
Believe it or not, your location can actually help you identify birds as well. Take a look around and figure out where you are. Are you out on the water, deep inside a large forest, or perhaps in your front yard? There are certain birds that live in specific habitats. Is the bird in the water, is it wading or swimming, does it actually climb the tree, how and where does it fly, and does it move its tail? These are all questions to ask that can help you out when identifying the birds that you are watching.
Listening to Identify Birds
One of the most important tips for beginner bird watchers that want to identify birds is to listen. Every single bird has a unique song that they sing and if you listen you may be able to identify the bird just by what you hear. If you are listening closely you may even see some birds that you would have never seen otherwise, and while this won’t always help you identify a bird, it can definitely help.
Next time you go on a bird watching adventure, keep these tips in mind to help you in your efforts. They’ll help you identify the birds you see, and this will make it a much more rewarding and fun experience for you, too.
