Birding 101...How to begin with enjoyable outdoor hobby !
Birdwatching, or “Birding” as known to those already afflicted with this hobby, is a rewarding, enjoyable way to enjoy the outdoors. Observation and identification of bird species can add a great deal of pleasure to even a simple walk. Birding is great for anyone looking to explore and learn more about the natural world, from children to seniors, of any level of experience or physical ability. There are many ways to enjoy wild birds.
Two important tools to the birder are a good pair of binoculars and a reliable field guide for your geographic area. Your choice of these items is up to you. A great variety of optics is available at every price range. Beginners need not spend a large amount of money to start out. There are many pairs of binoculars at reasonable prices. The most important thing is to try before you buy. Each pair is different and everyone has different personal preferences and eyes.
Good field guides for our area include, but are not limited to: "Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America", "The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America", "National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America". There are also children's bird guides and now apps for smart phones or audio players that include bird songs.
Identifying birds takes some practice. When starting out, don’t be too hard on yourself ! Start with familiar birds, and look at distinguishing features closely. Practice looking at features and behavior before consulting your field guide. A few features that will be important for a positive ID are:
· Size: is it robin-sized, crow-sized? Find a reference point.
· Shape and posture: Is it chunky, slim, short-legged, etc.?
· Bill shape: Hard to see sometimes, but very useful – thick or thin, curved or straight, size in comparison to the rest of the bird?
· Behavior: Part of a flock or solitary? Does it hop, walk, run? Flight pattern, foraging pattern-what might it be feeding on and how does it obtain food? If it is swimming-does it stay on top or dive?
· Field marks: Learn the body parts of birds and look for clues- wing bars, tail feathers, eye rings, coloration and patterns of feathers. What makes this bird look different than others?
· Bird voices: Songs and calls are often very important in positively identifying a species, even for experienced birders. Is it chirping or singing? Distinguish a description of its voice and song. What is the pattern? There are recordings you can listen to and learn bird songs. Build your vocabulary of bird songs and calls by studying these and by birding with an experienced birder if possible.
Reference your field guide after you have obtained all possible information from your observation. Be sure to check the range, habitat, and season of the species in the book. Try to join a bird group, bird walk, or experienced birder occasionally to build your skills.
Most birders keep a list of species they have seen. There are “life lists”, “year lists”, “county lists”, you name it. Life lists can be kept in a permanent book that can be purchased. When traveling to birding spots, try to pick up a bird list for the area or park. These are very helpful in determining which species frequent the area and when.
Another interesting phenomena of birding is it is an activity entirely based on the honor system. Birders frequently bird alone and always make certain they have positively identified a species before placing it on a life list or reporting to eBird or a survey. It is citizen science in action. Much of bird conservation today is based on surveys and data collected by birders. When in doubt, don’t count it - or find someone more experienced to verify it.
Enjoy your time afield and share with others! Introduce a young person to birding. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy the outdoors anywhere in any season.
Birdwatching, or “Birding” as known to those already afflicted with this hobby, is a rewarding, enjoyable way to enjoy the outdoors. Observation and identification of bird species can add a great deal of pleasure to even a simple walk. Birding is great for anyone looking to explore and learn more about the natural world, from children to seniors, of any level of experience or physical ability. There are many ways to enjoy wild birds.
Two important tools to the birder are a good pair of binoculars and a reliable field guide for your geographic area. Your choice of these items is up to you. A great variety of optics is available at every price range. Beginners need not spend a large amount of money to start out. There are many pairs of binoculars at reasonable prices. The most important thing is to try before you buy. Each pair is different and everyone has different personal preferences and eyes.
Good field guides for our area include, but are not limited to: "Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America", "The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America", "National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America". There are also children's bird guides and now apps for smart phones or audio players that include bird songs.
Identifying birds takes some practice. When starting out, don’t be too hard on yourself ! Start with familiar birds, and look at distinguishing features closely. Practice looking at features and behavior before consulting your field guide. A few features that will be important for a positive ID are:
· Size: is it robin-sized, crow-sized? Find a reference point.
· Shape and posture: Is it chunky, slim, short-legged, etc.?
· Bill shape: Hard to see sometimes, but very useful – thick or thin, curved or straight, size in comparison to the rest of the bird?
· Behavior: Part of a flock or solitary? Does it hop, walk, run? Flight pattern, foraging pattern-what might it be feeding on and how does it obtain food? If it is swimming-does it stay on top or dive?
· Field marks: Learn the body parts of birds and look for clues- wing bars, tail feathers, eye rings, coloration and patterns of feathers. What makes this bird look different than others?
· Bird voices: Songs and calls are often very important in positively identifying a species, even for experienced birders. Is it chirping or singing? Distinguish a description of its voice and song. What is the pattern? There are recordings you can listen to and learn bird songs. Build your vocabulary of bird songs and calls by studying these and by birding with an experienced birder if possible.
Reference your field guide after you have obtained all possible information from your observation. Be sure to check the range, habitat, and season of the species in the book. Try to join a bird group, bird walk, or experienced birder occasionally to build your skills.
Most birders keep a list of species they have seen. There are “life lists”, “year lists”, “county lists”, you name it. Life lists can be kept in a permanent book that can be purchased. When traveling to birding spots, try to pick up a bird list for the area or park. These are very helpful in determining which species frequent the area and when.
Another interesting phenomena of birding is it is an activity entirely based on the honor system. Birders frequently bird alone and always make certain they have positively identified a species before placing it on a life list or reporting to eBird or a survey. It is citizen science in action. Much of bird conservation today is based on surveys and data collected by birders. When in doubt, don’t count it - or find someone more experienced to verify it.
Enjoy your time afield and share with others! Introduce a young person to birding. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy the outdoors anywhere in any season.