One of the most important factors in identifying a bird will be its size. Is it the size of a robin? A chicken? Perhaps an ostrich? Size is important here, as is the ability to evaluate the body type of the bird you are watching. Would you characterize the bird as long or short, plump or skinny? Take the entire body into account, including the beak, tail and wings (both size and shape) when making this evaluation.

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. Certain birds tend to exhibit certain colors, so you can identify some birds by color or pattern 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. For instance are the wings differently colored than the rest of the bird? These details are important in identifying birds. Be certain to look at any markings the bird may have. With a decent pair of bird watching binoculars the features of these feathered creatures can be viewed more closely.

Where Are You?

Knowing where you bird watch is also going to be a help when you identify birds. Where are you when you bird watch? Are you on the water, inside a large forest? Are you enjoying some backyard birding? 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? All of these things will help you when you want to identify the birds you watch.

Listening to Identify Birds

One of the most important tips for beginner bird watchers that want to identify birds is to listen. Many species of bird can be identified by their songs. If you are listening carefully, this can help you spot birds you’d never have noticed otherwise – remember, each bird species has a unique song. It won’t always be a definite identification, especially from a distance, but it can certainly aid in identifying birds.

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 this will make it a much more rewarding and fun experience for you, too.

Tip #1 – The Size of the Bird – 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.

Tip #2 – Note the Colors – 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?

Tip #3 – 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.

Tip #4 – Listen – One of the most important tips for beginner bird watchers that want to identify birds is to listen. Every single bird has a unique song that they sing and if you listen you may be able to identify the bird just by what you hear. If you are listening closely you may even see some birds that you would have never seen otherwise, and while this won’t always help you identify a bird, it can definitely help.

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.