Bird Watching Basics
Are you just getting interested in bird watching? Here are the basic things to keep in mind while bird watching and taking a birding tour.
Learn the Birds in your Area
Bird watching is just like any other hobby - it helps to have a good basic knowledge of the hobby. Get a local birding book and study the images. At first, you're not looking to immediately identify the difference between a house finch and a purple finch from 200' away. Heck, many long time birders can't do that. But you want a basic grounding in "this is a robin" and "this is a cardinal" and "this is a blue jay". Not only will it help you get into the fun, but each new bird you identify will help you grow your knowledge about the world of birding.
Birding Book Reviews
Get a Good Set of Binoculars
You don't need to break the bank to get a really helpful set of binoculars. If you don't have a set already, be sure to read How to Choose Binoculars. Head into your local sporting goods store and just play with a few to see what they feel like and how they work. You might be amazed at just how good binoculars can be for such little money.
Look Into Local Birding Clubs
There are birding clubs in just about every corner of the globe, and all are enthusiastic about new members. Don't be shy about being a beginner, ask as many questions as you want and start learning.
Sharpen your Eyes and Ears
Every sense gets better with practice. That is especially true of your eyes and ears. When you're outside, try closing your eyes for a while and just listening to the sounds around you. Are they birds? Insects? Small critters? When you look in the trees, do you see remnants of nests?
Now practice on the birds you see. Is the bird's call loud and sharp? Soft and gentle? Does its tune go up or down? How about its look - is its beak pointy? Curved? Are the wings pudgy or sleek?
Don't worry if at first the birds all seem to look alike. It will come with practice. Just keep looking, and thinking, and checking with your books. The more you look at the birds and listen to them, the easier it will become to tell them apart. Each type of bird will have its own personality, its own quirks. And that is the fun of birding!
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Birding Basics
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