4 replies to this topic

[jrrudolp]

Hi, I'm new to bird watching and I had a quick question. If I had to pick 5 or 6 visual aspects of a bird to help me identify it the quickest and most accurately, what aspects would they be? I'm assuming the basics, such as size and primary color, but I'd be interested to see how others go about identifying birds 'on the fly'. Appreciate your responses! 

 Regards 

 -- Jim 

[Pat B.]

I'm still "in training," but I've found it helpful to first look at the overall shape and head shape. Then the bill, tail, streakiness or lack thereof, wingbars or lack thereof, and the eyes. It's also helpful, so you don't have to take your eyes away to write, to describe the bird out loud to yourself or whomever you're with. Then later you can get out a field guide and look for possibilities & pay attention to "similar birds" and see what you should be looking at the next time you see that bird.

[jrrudolp]

Awesome - thank you very much Pat! Just out of curiosity, does a life list typically track the total number of bird species you've identified? What else do you keep track of?

[Pat B.]

As to the "life list" - there are discussions here from time to time & the opinion seems to be "your list, your rules." In my case, it's just a list of any species seen; I also track my "backyard birds." Some require a photo to list a bird, but I don't. If you haven't tried it, I suggest that you join eBird.com and play around with it. It allows you to set up your lists, but mainly you get to participate in providing data to the birding community.

[jrrudolp]

Once again - thank you very much! You've been extremely helpful!

 Jim