10 Helpful Hints for Newer Birders
Hint #1:
You need a field guide for your area. A field guide is a book with
pictures of the birds and tips for identifying them. The best book
for new birders is the Peterson Field Guide to Eastern Birds or the
Peterson Field Guide to Western Birds. When you become familiar with
the birds in your area, you will want the National Geographic Field
Guide to the Birds of North America. For young birders, I recommend
Peterson First Guide: Birds. It describes 188 common and conspicuous
birds and it won't overwhelm them with too many choices.
Hint # 2:
You need binoculars to see the birds. You will soon discover an
ironic fact. The best birders have the best binoculars -- even though
they can identify a bird 100 yards away by its silhouette. Newcomers
with a cheap pair of binoculars see a fuzzy ball of feathers and
don't have a clue which bird it is. There is an unbelievable
difference between a pair of $79 binoculars and a $900 pair of
binoculars.
Hint #3:
You need to know what to expect in your area. The giant woodpecker
you saw in the woods was a Pileated Woodpecker, not an Ivory-billed
Woodpecker. Checklists of birds in your area will tell you this. Many
State and National parks near you have checklists of the birds seen
in the park. Thayer Birding Software's Birder's Diary (800) 865-2473
has a bird checklist for every State and Province in the United
States and Canada.
Hint #4:
You need to be able to find the birds. To do this, you should learn
about the habitat each species of bird prefers. Do they like to spend
their time at the top of a tree or on the ground or on a lake? You
should learn the bird songs of the birds in your yard. Later, learn
the songs of other birds in your area of the country. You might even
want to buy a book that can tell you about good spots in your area to
look for the birds. The "ABA/Lane Series" of books is especially
recommended for US and Canadian birders.
Hint #5:
Join a group of other birders. Birders are very friendly and helpful.
They are always willing to share their knowledge. We were all
beginners once. Start by calling the local Audubon Society, the local
Nature Center or Parks Commission, or the local Bird Club. If all
else fails, go to the park with your binoculars. Someone is sure to
strike up a conversation and they might lead you to a whole new group
of birding buddies.
Hint #6:
Try a birding trip or tour. Local bird trips are sometimes advertised
in the newspapers. These are often led by park rangers or a local
Audubon member. To find out about local trips you should also call
your local rare bird alert phone number. At the end of these tapes
there are often announcements about bird trips in your area. The
trips may last a morning or most of the day. These trips are usually
free of charge. You might also want to join a professional bird guide
on a tour. Tour guides charge for their services but they are worth
every penny. Birding tours can take you all over the world.
Hint #7:
Read about birds. There are many good magazines about birds and
birding. There are also thousands of books about birds. Birder's
World , Bird Watcher's Digest and WildBird are all good magazines for
newer birders.
Hint #8:
Bring the birds to you. You can attract birds to your yard with just
a little work. Planting the right flowers will attract hummingbirds.
Sunflower seeds will bring lots of new birds to your house. You might
even want to build a bluebird house. Learn about the National
Wildlife Federation's "Backyard Habitat" Program.
Hint #9:
Record your bird sightings. You might want to keep a "diary" or list
of the birds you see in your yard. You can also keep a list of birds
you see in your town or on your vacation. Birders often keep lists
for their county, state or country. They may also keep track of birds
seen in one day or one month or one year. This is all terribly easy
to do with a computer listing program such as Birder's Diary by
Thayer Birding Software.
Hint #10:
HAVE FUN. ASK LOTS OF QUESTIONS. BE KIND TO BIRDS.