Bird Watch like a Pro
Thousands of people are bird watchers. They have their property set up to attract wild birds, and some individuals even go on bird watching expeditions, or field trips. The key to becoming a bird watcher is to be able to properly identify your flying friends. A new bird watcher will first notice the size, color and shape of each bird. Sometimes you are only able to see a wild bird for a few minutes, so it is important you make mental notes of the important details of each bird you see. Some birders keep a notepad handy to jot down specific markings they see.
Field Markings
When looking at a bird, notice what its field markings. This includes the shape and size of its bill. You can note if it’s short, long, stout, curved, slender, or straight, also list the color. Another field marker are the tail feathers on the birds. Are the tail feathers rounded, squared, notched, forked, pointed, slender, fluffy, and what color are they? Any unusual things you notice on the bird should be noted as well. Does your bird have rings around its eyes? Is their a splash of color on your bird, or a streak of white on its tail, wings, or breast ? Many species have district markings in their bills, colors and shape.
Size
When studying the different sizes of birds, keep one general bird in your mind. If you are familiar with the Blue Jay, Crow, Robin, or Finch you can use the size of that bird when you are keeping track of the size of a new bird you have spotted. Is it larger than a Finch, but smaller than a Blue Jay? This information is important when identifying which bird has visited your home.
Personality
Is the bird you are watching alone, or is it with a family of its like kind? Does it walk, or hop? Is it picking through dead foliage, or is it simply pecking at the grass? When it flies does it soar, or continually flap? Is it perched in a tree? All of this information will go a long way in helping you determine which bird it is.
Field Guides
It is best to purchase a field guide on birds. Here you can find the characteristics of each bird as well as see pictures of them. Field guides will tell you which part of the world, and what season, you are most likely to find a bird in. These books will also tell you species name for each bird, as well as it’s English and scientific names, detailed description of the bird, the voice and song of the bird, and its nesting descriptions.
You cannot go outside without seeing a bird. Keep in mind that many birds tend to stay in one general habitat. Plan to visit as many different areas as possible to see a variety of birds. Keep your log of birds and see how many new ones you can identify each week. One good resource for all bird watching topics is the National Audubon Society. They have over half a million members and are staffed with scientists and educators.
National Audubon Society
700 Broadway
New York, NY 10003
1-800-274-4201
www.audubon.org
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