Backyard Birding

Equipment

• Field Identification Guide:   These guides contain information on color, size, plumage and other information necessary to identify birds.  Find them at bookstores and libraries.  There are also many excellent sources on line.  Try the link for eNature wildlife guides.
• Binoculars:  Binoculars are great to have, but are not required.  Good observations can be made without them, but in order to identify physical detail, they are handy to have.  If you plan to do most of your bird watching in your own backyard, 8 x 40 glasses are a good choice (the subject is magnified 8 times and the diameter of the lens is 40mm. 
• Notebook or Bird List:   Notebooks can be used to record the markings or unusual behavior of the birds you are watching.  Also helpful is the time of year, weather conditions and any other information you want to refer to later.   A life list is a nice thing to have,  if you want to keep a running list of visitors to your yard. 

Procedure

• Season:  Spring is one of the best times to observe birds.  Native birds as well as migrating birds are plentiful.  Fall migration is another great time to see unusual or uncommon birds.  Observe birds all year-round to see as many species as you can.
• Time of Day:  Between sun-up and mid morning is the best time for bird watching.  In winter, the warmest part of the day is best.

What Do You Notice? 

• Color and Markings:  Color is generally noticed first, and for some birds this may be all you will need.  More than color alone is needed to identify many birds.  "Field Marks" are physical characteristics that should be visible during a bird's normal activities.  Body and bill shape, wing and rump patches, tail bands, eye rings, and wing bars are included.  Click Here  for an illustration of where distinctive characteristics may be found on a bird.
• Size:  Comparing the size of the bird you are looking at to the size of a bird you are familiar with may help identify it. 
• Calls and Songs:  Calls are generally brief sounds of only one or two notes, while a song is a rhythmic series of notes uttered in a recognizable pattern.  Due to their distinctive songs, identification is possible without actually seeing them.  A crow would be a good example.