Bird watching is one of the fastest growing outdoor recreational activities. If you are one of those who is interested in this activity, here are some great tips that will make your experience extra pleasant.
Identifying a bird can be challenging for a new bird watcher. Birds are very active and extremely fast moving beings. When you spot a bird you need to gather as many details about that bird as possible on the first spotting. You usually only have a short period of time to gather the facts. The following are some tips that experienced bird watchers do to maximize the short and precious time for viewing a bird.
Once a bird is spotted, immediately take in the color, the approximate size and shape and other markings. When bird watching observe the overall appearance of the bird. Be conscious of details pertaining to the head and the bill area. After the head and the bill, look at the bird’s body, wings, legs and tail. Watch its movements and its feeding habits if the opportunity is there. You can also start sketching or write down the things that have caught your eye. Make the most out of the time that the bird is in front of you.
Bird watching is just as much an auditory activity as a visual activity. Many times birds are best identified by their vocalization. Listening to a bird’s vocalization is simple but easy to forget, too. When identifying a certain song of a bird, notice the movement of the bill. This confirms that the song is indeed coming from that specific bird. Get into the habit of listening for birds while spotting birds. Their song is a sure way to make a clear identification of different species of birds. Get used to hearing the tunes that specific birds sing.
It is very important to immediately write down all the things that you have noticed about the bird. The notes will be extremely helpful when you later sit down with a field guide to confirm the bird species. These tips for quickly identifying birds will make the new recreational activity much more fun and enjoyable.