Wild Bird Identification

There are a number of reasons why you may want to identify certain species of birds, but some people do not know how to identify certain birds because many species tend to look very similar. Most of the time, you would want to identify a certain wild bird because it is a hobby, but if you are to properly identify the bird, you will need to look for key characteristics.

1. Get a bird guide that will give you information on an number of different species. There are hundreds of books available to you that are written to help you identify a number of species. With technology being so advanced, you can even download guides to your computer for your convenience. The important thing to consider when buying a guide is to find a guide that is designed to identify birds in your region.


2. Take note of the shape and size of the body of the bird. By identifying these key features of the bird, you can begin to exclude certain types of birds. Many birds have similar sized bodies, but once you can determine what types of birds that do not have that size or shape of body, you can begin to look at the birds that do.


3. Notice any color or markings on the bird. Color and markings of a bird may allow you identify just one species because certain birds will never have a certain color or marking. Some birds, such as the blue jay, will have markings that can be recognized by just about anyone, which will allow you to properly identify the bird without too much work.