bird identification

Bird identification can be a difficult undertaking. Scores of different birds can live in a small area and it may be hard to get a good look at the bird. Scientific vocabulary can be a real mouthful. Amidst the challenges, identifying birds can be an achievable and enjoyable activity. I have a few tips to help the amateur bird watcher be successful.

Start by narrowing down the features into some objective descriptions. Take note of the most distinguishing characteristic. Does it have a red crown, sing a unique song, or fly low to the ground? This alone can sometimes give away the type of bird. Next, notice the size of the bird. Is it the size of a baseball, a watermelon, or a golf bag? Pay attention to the other features. Is the bill short or long, curved or straight? Where is the color located? What shape are the feathers? Behavior can also inform of the type of bird. Is it perched on a branch, running along the ground, or soaring?

Of course, just noticing all these features isn’t going to tell the bird’s identity. You’ll need to take the information to a reference book like an Audubon Field Guide. Compare your notes with the pictures and description. Still can’t figure it out? Try looking online. There are websites devoted to helping ID birds. Don’t want to carry a notepad and field guide around 18 holes? Just grab one of the Columbia Edgewater wildlife guides. It’s one sheet of paper with names and photos of wildlife at CECC. You can find one at the Pro Shop or outside the library.

Still want more? Join us for the annual Columbia Edgewater bird-watching event this Fall. Watch for details at the Pro Shop or on the wildlife blog. Happy Birding!