Spring Is Best
Spring is the best time to identify birds for several reasons. The males are in their full-color plumage and are easily identifiable by species. By fall, this feature changes drastically, especially among the warbles and other small songbirds.
Learn To Associate a Bird with Habitat
Some birds prefer dry uplands, while other similar species might prefer a swamp or wet area. Some of the birds can be quite specific to their preferred environment.
Know Your Bird Calls and Sounds
A bird sound can be general like a woodpecker pounding on a dead tree or general like the melodic early-morning singing of a meadowlark. Learning bird calls will come slowly with experience but can help greatly in the identification process.
Nesting vs. Migratory
Learn which birds nest in your favorite bird watching place, but don't forget to look for transitory species, especially in spring and fall when birds are moving to and from their winter grounds and habitats.
Check out Your Backyard First
See which birds come to your backyard. You can learn to identify the more common species such as a cardinal or robin, plus you get to practice and art of bird identification in an easily accessible location. Then you can head for the nearest wildlife refuge or bird sanctuary.
Article Written By Henri Bauholz
Henri Bauholz is a professional writer covering a variety of topics, including hiking, camping, foreign travel and nature. He has written travel articles for several online publications and his travels have taken him all over the world, from Mexico to Latin America and across the Atlantic to Europe.