Birding Basics

It can be easy to get started birding, and these five steps can help anyone interested in birds begin to build their life list, learn to identify birds and discover what fun birding can be.

Birding is more than just a hobby, it is good exercise, a popular activity for all ages, and a great companion to many other hobbies.

From birdwatchers to birders, we all share a love of birds - but who's who? Learn the difference between birders and birdwatchers and decipher clues to decide which one you are.

Birding is more than taking a walk and seeing birds, and these tips can help you plan how to go birding to maximize the birds you see and minimize any problems.

When you go birding can make a great difference in the birds you see, and these tips can help you choose the best time to go birding every day in every season.

Anyone can pick up a field guide and identify birds, but a truly dedicated birder has certain qualities that allow them to appreciate this hobby to its fullest. If you share these qualities of a good birder, you’re more likely to become an accomplished and expert birder while thoroughly enjoying the experienc

It can be easier than you think to improve your birding skills, whether you want to identify birds, attract them, feed them or just enjoy them. These 12 tips can help you be a better birder, one step at a time.

Accidents and injuries can happen even on a simple bird walk, and these safety tips for birders can help you be prepared for unforseen situations while birding.

Tips for how to get the best views of hummingbirds by setting up a backyard viewing location to attract hummingbirds. Includes tips for the best equipment to see hummingbirds as well as how to photograph hummingbirds.

Hummingbirds may be tiny, but these tips can help you see these flying jewels up close and personal. From having the right equipment to knowing where to look to attracting these birds for close views, you can get great looks at hummingbirds.

Learn when, where and how to find hummingbirds so you can enjoy these delicate flying jewels all spring and summer. Includes tips for attracting hummingbirds to your backyard.

The eight most frequently asked questions about hummingbirds, including detailed answers for identifying, attracting, feeding hummingbirds and more.

Fun projects and unique information about hummingbirds, from hummingbird totems and tattoos to hummingbird cake, making a hummingbird balloon animal and hummingbird clipart.

Tips for how to find warblers in the field, specifically during spring migration. Includes tips for attracting warblers to your backyard.

Discussion of invasive birds including how a bird is classified as invasive, a partial list of invasive bird species and how invasive birds get introduced to new areas.

Tips for beachgoers to enjoy a visit to the beach without disturbing or harming wild and nesting birds.

Tips for disposing of dead birds safely, including when it is necessary to contact authorities.

What type of birder are you? There are six major types of birders and many hobbyists fit more than one category.

How to share your love of birding and bird watching with friends, family members and your community.

One of the most famous names in ornithology and bird artwork, John James Audubon was a celebrated naturalist whose work is still popular with modern birders.

Tips for how to help a baby bird, including when to know that leaving the bird alone is the best option for its health and survival.

Explanations and a list of birding acronyms useful for field notes, texting reports and filenames, including bird species acronyms and other popular birding acronyms.

Tips for how to keep a birding journal for more detailed observations, including what type of journal to buy, what details to record and how to use your journal to become a better birder.

Tips for getting started as a backyard birder, including how to make your yard meet birds' needs, how to keep your backyard flock safe and how to enjoy your backyard birds.

Pishing is common among birders, but do you know what it is and how to do it properly? You can attract a wide range of birds with pishing, but doing so isn't always for the best. These guidelines can help you decide to pish or not to pish.

Pelagic birding tours can be intense birding experiences, and these tips will help you choose the best tour, be prepared for the voyage and get the most birds from your oceangoing adventure.

Tips for protecting pets from bird attacks from hawks, owls or other raptors. Bird attacks are rare but do happen, and these tips can help pet owners keep their pets safe.

Tips for how to find game birds in the field, including how, when and where to look for these elusive wild birds. Includes tips for attracting game birds to your backyard.

Discussion of what a bird range is and what factors affect bird ranges. Includes descriptions of different types of bird ranges.

Every birder has that story that shows their dedication to birding, a colossal identification mistake, a glorious rare bird sighting or just a fun birding time. Now is your chance to share your "you might be a birder if…" tales to show just the type of birder you are!

Bird checklists are great tools for tracking the birds you see, but where can you find a checklist of birds? Different lists are available from all of these different resources.

Details on the ethics of bird watching and birding best practices.

Etiquette tips for birders in groups or individually.

Birds are always making headlines, and these are the top 10 bird news stories of 2010.

Birds made headlines in a number of ways in 2011, and this recap covers the top stories of interest to birders.