How to ID Birds:

1. Determine group

2. Determine species• Size• Surroundings (Habitat)• Shade (Field Marks)• Song

What is it? Golden-crowned Kinglet

Determine Species: SizeUse familiar birds to estimate size.

≈ 6 inches ≈ 10 inches ≈ 17 inchesHouse Sparrow American Robin American Crow

Downy Woodpecker Pileated WoodpeckerNorthern Flicker

Determine Species: Surroundings

Belted Kingfisher

We know the exact species, because only one species of this group occurs in Michigan.

Species Distribution: Learn which birds live in or visit your area and in which seasons.

Determine Species: Habitat

House WrenMarsh Wren

Winter Wren

www.birdsgonewild.org

Determine Species: ShadeField Marks and Plumage Patterns

Learn to recognize plumage patterns and field marks.

Head Field Marks

•Crest•Cap•Eyeline stripe•Eyebrow stripe•Eye ring•Throat patch•Bill color

Tufted Titmouse

Chipping Sparrow

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

White-crowned Sparrow

Tail Field Marks

•Notched or forked•Rounded•Straight•Barred•Location of white

Barn SwallowRed-tailed Hawk

Eastern Kingbird

Cooper’s Hawk

Wing and Body Field Marks

•Wing patches•Wing bars•Breast stripes•Colored flank or rump•Leg color

Yellow Warbler

Northern Harrier

Black-throated Blue

Herring Gull

Determine Species: Song

Learning to a bird’s song and calls can help you identify the bird to species (and know that it is around!)

“Yank, yank, yank” Small tin horn

White-breasted Nuthatch Red-breasted Nuthatch

How to ID Birds: Process of Elimination

1. Determine group• Shape and silhouette• Sweep• Signs

2. Determine species• Size• Surroundings (Habitat)• Shade (Field Marks)• Song

What is it? Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Get Outside, Practice and See More Birds!

• Go for a Walk• Sit quietly in a favorite place• Work in the garden• Visit a new birding spot

Help Birds: Record What You See & Share

• Keep a checklist or journal– Life list– Backyard list– Submit to eBird

• Get involved

• local and state organizations

• Counts and Citizen Science

Homework

Before class on March 31:Choose a spot, your backyard or a favorite nearby location, make a list of the birds you see and hear. Do your best! Anything that you do not recognize, take a picture, make a drawing in your journal or a list of field marks.

For the birds you see and hear, whether you recognize them or not, look each up in your field guide.

Read the description and take a close look at the range map.

White-throated SparrowMigrating past your feeders soon?