Birding Secrets Revealed

If you haven't gone bird watching, you are in for a great treat. There is so much to see, hear and learn while bird watching. Discover many of the different types birds and their behaviors. For example, watching a hummingbird protect its territory can show another side to what seems like a dainty little bird.

When going bird watching, you want to have the best experience, so taking along appropriate gear as well as timing your adventure can improve your outing. You'll also want to know how to identify the many species of birds while being comfortable.

Beginning Bird Watching:

If you are just starting, going with professional bird watchers can be helpful. There are groups you can join, such as the Audubon Society or American Birdwatching Association. They offer such amenities such as lists of birds in the local area, birding books, magazines and articles. Sometimes, they have field trips you can go on to get some experience in bird watching.

When and Where To See Birds:

You can see birds at different times of the day, but certain birds have times they are more active. For example, songbirds start singing and eating two to three hours before sunset. Right after the sunrise, eagles and hawks get active because they soar in the warmer, thermal air currents. Owls are more active at night when they are looking for food with their night vision, and shorebirds feed after high tide.

Watching Birds At Feeding Time:

Having a backyard feeder, bird bath, or bird house encourages birds to visit your yard. You can also find them in their natural habitat, eating the foods they would normally eat. Songbirds like seed and many bird types like niger, millet and sunflower seeds. Many birds such as woodpeckers, nuthatches, and cardinals like peanut butter and suet. Hummingbirds are attracted to red colors and feed on a mixture of sugar and water. Some people add a drop of red food coloring. Birdbaths offer birds a place to drink water and to cool off during the summer.

Looking For Breeding Birds:

Unlike humans, birds breed according to specific seasons. Additionally, some migrate before having their young. The majority of birds breed in the spring and summer so that the babies are ready for fall migration. In the fall, some birds are more difficult to identify as some get heavier feathering and duller colors for migration.

Spotting and Identifying Birds:

You will want to move quietly so you do not frighten the birds. Basic clues to look for and listen for when identifying a bird are: its habitat, plumage and color, behavior, silhouette and the songs or calls it makes. Also, looking at the beaks can give you a clue and watching what they are doing with it. Woodpeckers have rigid beaks for chipping wood, while hawks, eagles and owls have sharply hooked beaks for tearing up prey. Most backyard birds like cardinals, finches and sparrows have conical beaks while shorebirds have long, slender bills for digging in the sand and prying open shells.

Bird Watching Gear To Bring and Wear:

Of course, binoculars, cameras and something for taking notes is something you need. You may want to keep track of the time of day and activity you witnessed particular birds. You may also want to write down characteristics of the birds you are not familiar with so that you can look them up later, or take along a bird identification guidebook.

Being able to blend in your surroundings is important, so dress in dull colors. Camouflage is the thing to keep in mind to see the most birds. Also, fabrics that rustle, snag or squeak will scare birds off. You may want to have boots, warm clothing and rain gear. Owls are best seen and heard at night, so a flashlight might come in handy. You might want to consider a hand-held recorder for songs and chirps of birds that you don't recognize to look up later.

After Your Bird Watching Experience:

Take advantage of the time after birding to review your notes and try to identify the birds you were unable to name during your outing. You may want to get a tape of different bird songs and calls to assist with identification. Using a field guide can be extremely helpful for matching what you saw with detailed pictures and specific characteristics.

Bird watching is a fun and relaxing hobby that doesn't take much in the way of special equipment or extra expense, but can provide hours of entertainment.