Identifying Birds
Bird watching involves identifying birds by their physical attributes as well as by their behavior. There are 9 points that can be used when identifying bird species – size, color, shape, bill (shape and color), leg (length and color), eye color, flight pattern, habitat and distribution. It is best to use a field guide for your area, for example a field guide on identifying British birds if you are in Britain, as these will contain the species for your area. The secret to bird identification is to recognize which family the bird belongs to. From there, finding the exact species is matter of elimination.
Let us take the example of identifying birds of prey. If you saw a large raptor with legs feathered to the feet, large powerful talons, you would know that it is a true eagle. To identify the exact species you would consider habitat, size and coloration. Another example of identifying birds of prey is: If you saw a small raptor with pointed wings, a long narrow tail, facial markings like “sideburns”, direct flight with rapid wing beats and hunting on the wing, you would know it belongs to the falcon family. By process of elimination you would identify the exact species.
When identifying backyard birds, consider the above points and pay particular attention to distribution. Distribution is an accurate and great help in identifying a bird. If a bird is noted as not being found in your area, chances are it’s a different species that you have spotted. Identifying garden birds can be difficult and may require the use of binoculars to note leg and bill color. However, starting with identifying backyard birds is the perfect way to begin birding.
Another useful way to determine bird species is by identifying bird song. Many CDs are available to assist in identifying bird song. Bird song is very species specific and leaves you with little doubt as to the bird you are listening to.
Once you have started to identify birds using the above tips, you will understand the delight that many bird watchers experience in observing these feathered wonders.
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i live in ocean shores washington and i seen for the first time a black and blue bird in my backyard and i wanted to know if anyone could tell me what it is. it look like a cardinal but it had a black upper body and a deep blue lower part of its body. i would say about half and half of the colors. it was a bird about a little bit bigger than a robin. thank you for your help.
For those of us birders who have an Iphone the Audubon just came out with a new great application to help identify birds. There are great images, range maps and voice examples. Check it out!
Reggie Roan Eagle i think your bird is a Superb Blue Fairy Wren!
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I live in Tarpon Springs Florida, and we have a swampy, boggy area behind our house with a lot of huge trees. In the treeline on the farthest edge of this wooded area,we keep seeing a HUGE bird of prey of some type that we can’t identify. I would say it’s wing span is at least 5 feet, maybe more, and we watch it bring food up to the same branch of the same tree every day pretty much. It is not black, more of a dark greyish color, with lighter feather underneath, with some spotty lighter areas on it’s back and underneath. I would guess it is probably about 3 to 4 feet in height, and I probably couldn’t get my arms around it. I have never seen a bird like this! Any ideas?
I just had about 25-30 or more Robins in my back yard. Is it strange to see them this time of year. I’m in the Ann Arbor area of Michigan?????
Maybe this is a good sign!!!
I just saw a bird in my backyard which I have never seen before. It is slightly smaller than a robin and is mostly black with a pure white belly. At the margin of tha belly and the dark body is a bright blue area about 1/2 inch wide. It is a ground feeder and has a straight yellow beak (1/2inch long) I am a real ameteur and only have a National Geographics “Birds of North America” field guide and cannot find this bird in there. Can anyone give me an identification for this bird? Thanks Dick Ampleman
By the way I live in Florissant Mo and we are on the Mississippi and Missouri fly ways.
Reggie Roan Eagle What you saw might have been a Stellers Jay.
I live in Utah and have a strange bird who has just shown up at my feeder. It has a long slightly bent beak, a lighter colored chest covered in large dark spots, and its back looks darker with almost stripes on it. It has bright red near its neck, only seen when it moves it’s neck. It also looks like it has a black band around its neck. Can anyone help me identify it?