If you enjoy watching birds, more than likely you are going to want to learn how you can identify them. While it can be exciting to be able to identify birds, it isn’t always a simple task; in fact, it can be downright frustrating much of the time. Having a good field guide is a good way to start. 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”.

The Size of the Bird

One of the most important factors in identifying a bird will be its size. Is it the size of a robin, a small sparrow, a chicken, or even an ostrich? 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.

Note the Colors

The colors are another important thing to note when trying to identify birds. 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 can affect the color so that the bird appears a different color than he or she really is. Take the lighting into account and make a mental note of what parts of the bird are what colors. 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 good pair of birding binoculars the features of these feathered creatures can be viewed more closely.

What’s Your Location?

Knowing where you bird watch is also going to be a help when you identify birds. Take a look around and figure out where you are. Are you out on the water, deep inside a large forest, or are you perhaps doing some backyard birding? Certain types of bird tend to live in certain types of terrain. 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 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 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 adventure, keep these tips in mind to help you in your efforts. They’ll help you identify the birds you see, and this will make it a much more rewarding and fun experience for you, too.