A Feathered Field Guide: 3 easy steps to identifying birds

Can’t quite put your finger on what kind of bird you’ve spotted? With so many species of birds, it can be tricky to tell birds apart from each other. It’s not like you can ask the bird to show their proof of identification before stepping onto your property. That would be too easy. Thankfully, there are a few easy ways to start identifying birds.

1. Know the basics

While there are many species of birds, it’s best to start with the basics. Here are a few helpful categories of types of birds to know.

• Songbirds: These avian pals are likely most of the birds you see in your backyard. Blue Jays, Goldfinches, American Robins, and Chickadees are just a few examples. While the word “song” is in their name, birds don’t have to be top-charting singers to make this category. Instead, all songbirds have an organ that allows them to make sounds or sing called.
• Woodpeckers: Larger than other birds, these fellas have super strong beaks. Their beaks give them a unique ability to peck trees over and over, without injury, to find food. Woodpeckers usually have black, white, and red patterns.
• Birds of prey: These fellas are the ones who hunt, catch, and eat prey. Think owls, falcons, eagles, and hawks. They might seem intimidating, but they’re impressive creatures!
• Waterfowl & Wading Birds: Waterfowl and wading birds love the water. Ducks and geese, some of the most common waterfowl, enjoy staying close to the water and taking swims. Herons and Cranes, common wading birds, would much rather take it easy, dip their toes in the water, and find food in the shallow end. These birds have long bills and legs.

2. Snag a field guide

Field guides are a great resource for new and avid birders alike! These books have illustrations or photos, helpful maps, and descriptions for many species of birds. The Peterson, American Birding Association, Kaufman, and Sibley field guides are some of the most popular among fellow bird enthusiasts.

If printed books don’t suit your fancy, e-books and apps may be a better option. The Cornell Lab’s Merlin Bird ID app is recommended by many birders! You can input a bird’s information, submit a picture, and record a bird’s call, and it’ll help you identify the bird you spotted.

3. Get to know your peeps

Keeping track of what kinds of birds you see in your yard helps you to spot the difference between a bird you've seen before and a rare visitor.

• Keep a notebook and jot down a few details of a bird you spot in your yard. Observe their size, shape, color patterns, sounds, beaks, and behavior. These details make all the difference!
• Snap a quick photo and keep it as a quick reference. It may be helpful to keep your bird photos in their own folder so you can reference them quicker.
• Once you know the features of a bird, reference your field guide or do a quick search online to put a name to a face.

All in all, birding should stay fun! If birding identification becomes too much, take it easy and just enjoy whichever feathered friends stop by your yard. Have a question about birding identification? We’re happy to help! Ask away here

SOURCES:

• https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/whats-the-best-book-or-field-guide-for-bird-identification
• https://sempervirens.org/news/birds-and-birding/
• https://jakesnatureblog.com/2018/09/02/the-5-main-types-of-birds-tip-for-beginner-birders/
• https://wildlifeinformer.com/Htypes-of-birds/
• https://www.audubon.org/news/what-songbird-exactly