| Beginner's Guide To Identifying Birds |
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| Written by William Scott |
| Saturday, 09 August 2008 14:53 |
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If you like bird watching, it is a certainty that you'll want to learn how to identify these birds. It is exciting when you are able to correctly identify a bird while out bird watching. This isn't as easily done as said, however - it can be very difficult at times. A good field guide can be your friend in this regard. Having some of your own knowledge filed away in your head will make it even easier to use this guide however. If you're a novice bird watcher, read on for a few tips to help you "name that bird". What's the Bird's Size? One thing that will help you identify birds is to first take a look at the size of the bird you are trying to identify. Is it about the size of a large ostrich, maybe chicken size, about the size of a small sparrow, or perhaps the size of a robin? Also, consider whether the bird is plump, on the skinny side, short, or very long. The entire body should be taken into consideration, including the size of the beak, the size of the tail, and the size and shape of the wings as well. What Color or Pattern Is the Bird? Another tip that will help you to more accurately identify birds is to take note of the colors that are on the bird. As you learn which colors certain birds tend to be you'll soon learn how to identify some birds by color alone. However, colors can trick you from time to time. The lighting may affect the color that the bird appears. Be sure to check the colors that are on each part of the body as well. Are the legs a certain color, the wings a specific color, or does it have any specific markings anywhere on the body? Where Are You? Believe it or not, your location can actually help you identify birds as well. Take a look around and figure out where you are. Are you out on the water, deep inside a large forest, or perhaps in your front yard? There are certain birds that live in specific habitats. Is the bird in the water, is it wading or swimming, does it actually climb the tree, how and where does it fly, and does it move its tail? These are all questions to ask that can help you out when identifying the birds that you are watching. Use Your Ears One of the most important things to keep in mind when you're watching birds is that how they sound can help you figure out what they are, too. Every bird species has a unique song; if you listen, you may be able to identify the bird you're watching just by what you can hear. If you listen closely, you might even see some birds that you would never have seen otherwise. It's not always helpful to listen when you identify a bird, but it's another piece of information that can definitely help you. So, next time you go out bird watching, keep all of these tips in mind. They'll help you identify the birds you see and have a more fun and rewarding experience out in the wild. About the Author: William Scott has authored a number of articles on bird watching. You can learn more about backyard birding on his website at http://BirdWatchingAdvice.com . Kindly provided by MoneyHunter.org You are welcome to use this article on your own website, if you include the link just before this text. |