Tips for Birdwatching

Spike with binoculars_left

Spike Tip: To use binoculars, keep looking at what you are trying to see and bring the binoculars up to your eyes without looking away.

When you see a bird you don't know, first ask yourself these questions:

  • Is it swimming, soaring, walking or perching?
  • What is its general shape?
  • What main colors do you see and where?
  • What shape is the tail?
  • What shape is the beak?
  • What field markings can you see on its head, breast, wings or tail?

This information will help you find that bird in a bird guidebook.


For more tips on birdwatching, try the All About Birds web site from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.