Beginner’s Guide to Identifying Backyard Birds

Birdwatching starts right outside your window. With a few basic tools and some patience, anyone can learn to identify the birds that visit their backyard. In this guide, we’ll walk you through easy steps to get started and build your skills as a backyard birder.

Step 1: Observe Shape and Size

Pay attention to the bird’s general silhouette. Is it small and round like a chickadee? Slender and long-tailed like a mockingbird? These clues are often the fastest way to narrow down possibilities.

Step 2: Note the Color Pattern

Look at where colors appear on the bird—head, wings, belly, tail. Even subtle markings like eye rings, wing bars, or streaks can be distinctive.

Step 3: Listen to the Call

Birds are often heard before they’re seen. Learn a few common calls like the “chicka-dee-dee” of the chickadee or the “cheer-cheer-cheer” of the cardinal. Free apps can help you match sounds to species.

Step 4: Check Behavior

How does the bird act? Does it hop or walk? Cling to tree trunks? Peck at the ground? Behavior is a strong ID clue.

Step 5: Use a Field Guide or App

Books or apps like Merlin Bird ID and Audubon Bird Guide help you match your observations with likely species based on your location and time of year.

Step 6: Keep a Journal

Record the birds you see and hear each day. Noting dates and weather conditions can help you spot migration trends or returning favorites.

Common Backyard Birds to Know

• American Robin: Orange belly, gray back, common on lawns.
• Northern Cardinal: Bright red male, brownish-red female.
• House Finch: Red-tinged males, streaked brown bodies.
• Blue Jay: Loud, blue with a crest and white underside.
• Black-capped Chickadee: Tiny, black cap and bib, white cheeks.

Tools to Enhance Your Birdwatching

A good pair of binoculars, a notebook, and a backyard setup with feeders and baths will increase the number and variety of birds you can observe.

Conclusion

Identifying backyard birds is fun, calming, and a great way to connect with nature. The more you observe, the more patterns you’ll recognize. Before long, your yard will feel like a living field guide!

Need supplies to bring birds closer? Visit BirdSupplyDirect.com for feeders, baths, and everything you need to attract and identify birds.