Beginning Birding 101
While there are hundreds of birds to learn locally, birding doesn't need to be intimidating. It isn't a test! Seeing new birds or learning the name of one you've seen for years is part of the fun! Like anything else, practice helps you learn, and any positive birding community will encourage and welcome you - no matter what your skill level. To help you get started, here is a step-by-step guide to beginning birding.
Step 1: Find Some Birds!
Birds are everywhere! Sometimes, it just takes the simple act of awareness to find them. But what is awareness and how do you become aware? Stop, look, listen, and repeat! If you hear or see a bird, you've done it! You've found them. If you want to find a birding "hotspot," check out our resource page for ideas!
Step 2: What does it Look Like?
This is where binoculars, cameras, field guides, and/or identification apps come in handy! Oftentimes, birds will be far away or backlit by the sun, which can make identifying them tricky. Try to note some of the bird's features. Start with its shape and color. Is it round? Does it have a long neck? How big is it? Does it have black or brown feathers?
Step 3: What is the Bird Doing?
Try to figure out what the bird is doing. Is the bird singing? Is it eating at a bird feeder? Is it flying in a group? Is it wading or swimming? Behavior is a great way to narrow down what bird you may be seeing. This can help you learn which birds do what. For example, woodpeckers like to drum on trees, while sparrows usually look for seeds on the ground or in tall grasses.
Step 4: Make an Educated Guess!
After you observe the bird's physical features and behaviors, make an educated guess! Look at your field guide or identification app as a reference and see if you can identify the bird. If you are still unsure, get more detailed! Do they have a stripe by their eye? Do they have pink or yellow feet? Do they travel in a group or alone? Part of becoming a good birder or citizen scientist is to ask questions! Keep asking until you are confident in your identification.