mall, colorful or drab? Do they sit still or fit from branch to branch? Then, try comparing new birds that you see with the common birds that you already know. Is
our new discovery the size of a sparrow, a robin, or a crow? Is its bill short or long, hooked or straight?
Outerial
Uppertal
Covers
Crown
Upper Bask
-Lower Back
Thro
Learning the basic form and structure, or morphology, of a bird will help you to make comparisons of birds.
Concentrate on the shape and size of the beak, including the relative size of the upper and lower beak, length of
the outer tail feathers, upper tail coverts, and throat; and the coloration of the crown and breast. It will also help
you to think about the types of habitat in which you are most likely to find specific birds, since the birds that you
see may be migratory and will only be in your area at a specific time of the year.
Some people can identify a bird just by its song or call. Once you start to listen to the calls around you, you
will start to learn them, too. Do you know any memory devices that could help you recall a song or call and
identify the bird associated with it? Can you distinguish differences in rhythm, pitch, tone, and repetition?
Studying the behavior of a bird is also often helpful in identifying it. Knowing characteristic bird behavior can be an important aspect of bird conservation and
management, since erratic behavior can signal a stressed or unhealthy bird. Because birds move around a lot, they can be vulnerable to a variety of
different
threats.
There are many resources to help new bird watchers, or "birders," learn to identify different birds. If you are already a seasoned birder, try to find ways to
use to identify birds around you, just
remember that the most
important
encourage other people, of all ages, to get hooked on birding, and whatever resources you
thing is to have fun!