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Bird Watching for Beginners - How To Identify Birds

by: WilliamScott
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If you enjoy watching birds, more than likely you are going to want to learn how you can identify them. While it can be exciting to be able to identify birds, it isn't always a simple task; in fact, it can be downright frustrating much of the time. Of course having a good field guide is an excellent idea. However, you'll have to have some knowledge of your own even to be able to accurately use the field guide. So, if you are a beginner at bird watching, the following are a few tips that can help you more accurately identify birds.

What's the Bird's Size?

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.

Note the Colors

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.

Use Your Ears

Beginners at bird watching need to know to listen to birds too. Many species of bird can be identified by their songs. If you are listening carefully, this can help you spot birds you'd never have noticed otherwise - remember, each bird species has a unique song. It won't always be a definite identification, especially from a distance, but it can certainly aid in identifying birds.

Keep all of these tips in mind the next time you have a chance to get outside and go bird watching. These tips will help you in identifying the birds you see (and even just hear) out there, giving you a more rewarding and enjoyable outdoor experience.

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About the Author

William Scott contributes bird watching articles to http://BirdWatchingAdvice.com, a website committed to helping people select the best birding binoculars.  

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