Learn to ID Birds!

We love birdwatching!

We love birdwatching, but deciding what species is in front of us isn’t always easy! If you’re birdwatching for the first, third, or one-hundred-and-third time, this helpful article gives great tips for narrowing your bird ID: size and shape, color, behavior and habitat. For the seasoned birdwatcher, check out their related stories to hone your skills in field marks, bird songs and more!

Here are a few of our tips and tricks for when you’re birdwatching, what are yours?
– Stay as silent as possible
– Avoid sudden movements
– Use your ears: where you hear one bird calling, there’s often more nearby
– Record your finds! Write down or draw what you see before you ID
– Try watching for birds near dawn or dusk when many birds are more active
– Find a good field guide or identification app! We love any of Sibley’s Guides and Cornell Lab’s free app Merlin
– Be patient and kind to yourself! Birding isn’t easy, so celebrate every success!

Check out this great article if you want to learn more: https://www.allaboutbirds.org