Identifying Birds

Is there anything as peaceful as a slow quiet walkof the color, shape, location(geography), any
through the woods on a quiet Sunday morning?specific features and/or field marks, the behavior
If there is, I'm not sure what it could be. Listeningof the bird and any nests or nesting locations.
to all the sounds of the woods can be a veryProbably the easiest way to identify birds is by
relaxing experience. If you are at all interested intheir feathers. The feathers of different types of
the different species of birds and learning tobirds vary in color. The feathers cover a birds
identify birds, this kind of a walk can be anentire body, but are separated in patches by bare
amazing experience. I don't recommend bringingskin. If you can get a close enough look at the
along small children as the task of locating andbird, this can be a great help in identifying the
identifying the different kinds of birds is one thattype of bird you saw.
is best done quietly.There are also many different types of bills on
Although my golden retriever adoresdifferent types of birds. They include a cone
walks(runs)through the woods, I cannot trust hershape, a daggar shape, a curved shape, a hooked
to be quiet either, so dogs are not reallyshape and a needle-like shape. This is an important
recommended as well.to feature to look at and make a note of and can
The job of identifying birds can be a difficult one.be very helpful in identifying the type of bird.
Most birds do not stay quietly in one place as youBird identifying can be a very enjoyable hobby for
approach them to check for any identifyingeveryone. Although looking or the different types
marks. I recommend bringing a good pair ofof birds maybe a task better suited for a older
binoculars with you on your walk. This way, youchild or at least one who is able to keep quiet, the
can observe the bird from a distance as well asact of identifying the birds based on your notes is
look for any distinguishing features. You shouldone that most children will enjoy. Especially if done
also being along a small notebook to make noteswith a parent or grandparent. You could also do
and perhaps even draw small pictures of the birdswhat my parents have done which is attach a
that you find. Making notes about differentbirdfeeder to their window. My children spend a
colored markings, size and other features will begreat deal of time watching the birds come to eat
very important when you sit down to try toand have great fun describing them to my
figure out all the different types of birds you saw.parents. Identifing birds can be a great hobby for
There are many different ways to identify birds.people of all ages.
As you are looking at them, you should take note