29 replies to this topic

[DianeD]

Nearly a year after entering the “birding” world (well, after hanging up a feeder in my yard), here’s what I have learned so far, in no particular order. Just thought I'd share.


You don’t have to know anything about what kind of birds they are to enjoy watching them at the feeder. But if you are even the slightest bit obsessive, you’ll want to know.

Pictures are good for being able to tell what kind of bird it is. Or, if you don’t have a picture, you can just go from memory and never know you were wrong. (This works for me, since I am still working on the common ones, and I know they’ll be back.)

If it is small and brownish and there are a lot of them, say “house finch”. Statistically, you have a good chance of being right. (In some places you might have to say “house sparrow” instead.)

Never say JUST a sparrow. Only birders of the highest order can tell what kind of sparrow for sure.

House finches can be fun to watch on the feeder, even if they are common and not everyone likes them.

Crows are smart.

Males are easier to tell than females. (Hmm, imagine that, the males are more stratightforward.)

A commute is a little shorter when you get to look for those hawks on those fenceposts next to the freeway every day. Just don’t forget to watch the traffic, and probably better not to tell anyone you judge how the day will be based on how many are there. Most people don’t get that.

When you hear something different, look up.

Boring work meetings are way more fun in conference rooms with windows once you are tuned into birds. If it is a meeting you have to pay attention to, better to sit with your back to the window.

Birds like throwing seed all over the ground. They do it for the ground feeders, so that they can have some too.

[fisherman1313]

1.you can just go from memory and never know you were wrong.

2.Never say JUST a sparrow. Only birders of the highest order can tell what kind of sparrow for sure.

3.Crows are smart.

4.A commute is a little shorter when you get to look for those hawks on those fenceposts next to the freeway every day. Just don’t forget to watch the traffic.

I numbered the lines I wanted to respond to so this would be easier to follow

1.I love that philosophy.

2.I have a friend who was birding with a group out-of-state when he saw what he referred to as "just a robin", one of the other birders told him it was not "just a robin" there is no such thing as "just a robin". He meant every bird is special, no matter how common.

3.There are crows in Japan that sit on streetlights at intersections waiting for the traffic lights to turn green, when the light does turn green the birds drop nuts onto the road and the cars run over the nuts, crushing them. The crows wait for the light to turn red and when the cars stop they fly down and eat the nuts.

4.I've had people ask me if I've ever driven off the road while watching a bird, I can fortunately say that I have not. I usually end up crossing into the next lane. I've been lucky so far.

[Aveschapines]

Nice post, Diane! I'd add that no matter how common or despised a bird species is, you learn a lot from identifying it. I struggled with my first House Sparrow ID and learned a lot about how to observe and understand field marks (in my case, I was focusing on the pattern as seen straight on while the illustrations are often profiles) that has helped me with other, more "fun" birds!

[BarnSwallow]

You may not know this, but all sparrow/house finch types (along with a few others) have an actual name - LBJ. Little brown job. It's quite accepted in birding circles!

[challo]

I got hooked on bird-watching when I hung a feeder in my large Brazilian pepper tree.

Unfortunately, I also got hooked to critter-watching after that.

The feeder brought the finches, sparrows (LBJ's -g-), robins, doves, pigeons and other birds I don't know. And squirrels. The left-overs brought the rats. The doves and rats brought the hawks and the possums.

Sadly, I took the feeder down. I sure miss that little eco-system I had going.

Now, I only feed my hummers and that in itself is work . . . . -g-

edit: hummer feeders mean also feeding woodpeckers and hooded orioles . . . .

[fisherman1313]

You may not know this, but all sparrow/house finch types (along with a few others) have an actual name - LBJ. Little brown job. It's quite accepted in birding circles!

There is also a species called the Military Warbler (Plutonia pentagonus) which, according to A Field Guide to Little-Known and Seldom-Seen Birds (a very funny book) is common only on widely-scattered, high-security millitary bases, but the book is wrong on that point because I've seen at least one on every birding trip I've ever been on where there was any kind of greenery around. A pic of the bird can be seen here; http://www.whatbird....litary-warbler/
The book also states that the barring on the tail "indicates some sort of social rank".

[BarnSwallow]

Haha! I have that book - love it!

[spookyjimjams]

Outstanding observations made by a real birder!

[Forestina]

2.I have a friend who was birding with a group out-of-state when he saw what he referred to as "just a robin", one of the other birders told him it was not "just a robin" there is no such thing as "just a robin". He meant every bird is special, no matter how common.

So so true! It is amazing how ordinary birds have become super special now that I am paying attention

[Gordo]

As a relative newbie myself (not to watching birds but rather, trying to positively identify them) I find myself almost overwhelmed by the process.
Like, there are a LOT of birds common to my area sharing similar colors, shapes and habitat.
Getting part way there is fairly simple... "ok, it's almost definitely a sparrow/finch/warbler but WHAT one exactly?"
I usually end up getting bogged down with numerous web pages and/or books opened to different possibilities I'm comparing to my photos and recollection of the bird(s) I'm trying to identify.
It quickly becomes a lesson in frustration as I struggle over the various eye-rings, leg colors, wing bars etc., many of which aren't always visible in my fun but amatuerish pictures.
To be honest, I usually give up before reaching a conclusion I'm even 75% sure of.
I keep struggling and waiting for the day it all starts to 'click' and become easier but sometimes I wonder if I'll ever be sure I saw a yellow warbler and not one of numerous other similar birds sporting yellow plumage.

Anyone else going through this or have perhaps reached that magic grasp of understanding that allows for easier (and probably more correct) bird identification?

[fisherman1313]

Gordo, that's what makes birding so fun! Not the frustration but the learning process. One day you'll be birding and see a bird or hear a song that you thought you'd never be able to ID without serching all of your field guides, but suddenly you'll realize that YOU KNOW THIS ONE! I had a similar situation a few months ago, I heard a song that I was not completely familiar with and I realized I knew what it was. When an ID that you've never made before clicks like that it's a terrific feeling. Once you spend enough time in the field, especially if you occasionally get out with other birders who are more experienced than you are, you sort of learn by osmosis.

[Kaysei]

Never say JUST a sparrow. Only birders of the highest order can tell what kind of sparrow for sure.

I know chipping sparrows for sure, but that's about it.

House finches can be fun to watch on the feeder, even if they are common and not everyone likes them.

They are quite entertaining!

Crows are smart.

You got that right!

When you hear something different, look up.

Always!

Birds like throwing seed all over the ground.

They sure do....and the cardinals love picking it up.

[spyonabird]

Males are easier to tell than females. (Hmm, imagine that, the males are more stratightforward.)

I prefer to think of them as "simpler"

[Forestina]

As a relative newbie myself (not to watching birds but rather, trying to positively identify them) I find myself almost overwhelmed by the process.
Like, there are a LOT of birds common to my area sharing similar colors, shapes and habitat.
Getting part way there is fairly simple... "ok, it's almost definitely a sparrow/finch/warbler but WHAT one exactly?"
I usually end up getting bogged down with numerous web pages and/or books opened to different possibilities I'm comparing to my photos and recollection of the bird(s) I'm trying to identify.
It quickly becomes a lesson in frustration as I struggle over the various eye-rings, leg colors, wing bars etc., many of which aren't always visible in my fun but amatuerish pictures.
To be honest, I usually give up before reaching a conclusion I'm even 75% sure of.
I keep struggling and waiting for the day it all starts to 'click' and become easier but sometimes I wonder if I'll ever be sure I saw a yellow warbler and not one of numerous other similar birds sporting yellow plumage.

Anyone else going through this or have perhaps reached that magic grasp of understanding that allows for easier (and probably more correct) bird identification?

I can honestly say you are even further along than I am... It is truly overwhelming!

[cestma]

House finches can be fun to watch on the feeder, even if they are common and not everyone likes them.

One of their redeeming features is that they sing beautifully.

--another Diane

[DianeD]

Hey Gordo - I don't worry if I can't quite id a bird I see. I figure I have a long time to get better at this, and there are so many other things I have to work hard at, this I do for fun. And the more I try to figure one out, the more pictures I look at, the more I can at least get close.

Here's one thing I've learned to do - search the "help me identify a bird" forum with what you think it might be. Sometimes the smart people here have identified one and in the process they "discuss" and compare close ones. That helps me see what they look for. And it helps to know they don't all always just have an answer

And an addition to my list:

It is a little easier to take it, when you see that huge white... you know... on your windshield, after you have been watching the gulls and know who probably did it.

[cwj2323]

A Field Guide to Little-Known and Seldom-Seen Birds (a very funny book)

After you mentioned this book, I found the second in the series online. My favorite bird in it is the Rear-tailed Evader. I wonder if we could call it out with a straight face on the next birding field trip. I had read some of these out loud while we were out and about yesterday and my husband had to ask me to stop; he could hardly control the van from laughing so hard. The Split Rail was really getting to him.

[cwj2323]

And an addition to my list:

It is a little easier to take it, when you see that huge white... you know... on your windshield, after you have been watching the gulls and know who probably did it.

That's funny!

[fisherman1313]

After you mentioned this book, I found the second in the series online. My favorite bird in it is the Rear-tailed Evader. I wonder if we could call it out with a straight face on the next birding field trip. I had read some of these out loud while we were out and about yesterday and my husband had to ask me to stop; he could hardly control the van from laughing so hard. The Split Rail was really getting to him.

I did not know there was a second edition, I'll have to look for it.

[Texachusetts]

Fisherman, I have go to send the pic of the military warbler to my husband at Fort Hood. He can actually look for it without breaking any laws! Hey, so can I when I'm there. I have an ID! I actually have seen some awesome birds on Fort Hood. They are also good about letting them use the equipment. This picture was taken from a hangar: