Identifying Birds
There are thousands of bird species in the skies, so how do you identify the ones you see? Here you will find information about what physical characteristics of a bird can help you make a positive identification, how to keep a life list of your sightings and what resources can help you identify different birds.
Types of Bird Sounds
There are many different types of bird sounds that can be used for identifying birds, including calls, songs and nonverbal bird sounds.
There are many different types of bird sounds that can be used for identifying birds, including calls, songs and nonverbal bird sounds.
Birding by Ear Basics
Tips for how to identify birds by sound, including how to listen to bird songs and what to listen for to get a positive bird identification.
Tips for how to identify birds by sound, including how to listen to bird songs and what to listen for to get a positive bird identification.
Sparrow Identification Tips
Tips for how to identify sparrows by field marks, behavior, song and range, including what equipment and preparation is recommended for proper bird identification.
Tips for how to identify sparrows by field marks, behavior, song and range, including what equipment and preparation is recommended for proper bird identification.
Downy Woodpecker or Hairy Woodpecker?
Tips for identifying the differences between downy woodpeckers and hairy woodpeckers based on appearance, behavior, range, sounds and other factors. Includes an identification quick reference table.
Tips for identifying the differences between downy woodpeckers and hairy woodpeckers based on appearance, behavior, range, sounds and other factors. Includes an identification quick reference table.
Cooper's Hawk or Sharp-Shinned Hawk?
Tips for how to distinguish between Cooper's hawks and sharp-shinned hawks based on appearance, prey and behavior. Includes a quick reference table for comparisons.
Tips for how to distinguish between Cooper's hawks and sharp-shinned hawks based on appearance, prey and behavior. Includes a quick reference table for comparisons.
How to Identify Baby Birds
Juvenile birds can be challenging to identify, but these tips can make it easy to spot young birds and determine what species they are.
Juvenile birds can be challenging to identify, but these tips can make it easy to spot young birds and determine what species they are.
Baby Bird Identification Tips
Comparison of adult and juvenile bird photos to aid identification of young birds.
Comparison of adult and juvenile bird photos to aid identification of young birds.
How to Identify Hummingbirds
Tips for identifying different hummingbird species by appearance, behavior and territory.
Tips for identifying different hummingbird species by appearance, behavior and territory.
How to Recognize Sick Birds
Tips for recognizing sick birds by appearance and behavior. Includes easy tips to help birds heal.
Tips for recognizing sick birds by appearance and behavior. Includes easy tips to help birds heal.
How to Submit Your Bird Photos
Instructions and guidelines for submitting bird photos for consideration for use in galleries, profiles and articles.
Instructions and guidelines for submitting bird photos for consideration for use in galleries, profiles and articles.
How to Distinguish Between Male and Female Birds
Tips for distinguishing between male and female wild birds.
Tips for distinguishing between male and female wild birds.
Bird Silhouette Diagrams
This set of silhouette diagrams from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology can help birders identify the types of birds they see even if they can’t see all the details of an individual bird’s color or markings. Distinguishing between types of silhouettes can be the first step toward proper bird identification.
This set of silhouette diagrams from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology can help birders identify the types of birds they see even if they can’t see all the details of an individual bird’s color or markings. Distinguishing between types of silhouettes can be the first step toward proper bird identification.
Bird Topography
This interactive color diagram of external bird anatomy from Birds of India describes all the parts of a bird’s body and plumage that birders should observe in order to properly identify wild birds. A detailed glossary accompanies each label for additional explanation.
This interactive color diagram of external bird anatomy from Birds of India describes all the parts of a bird’s body and plumage that birders should observe in order to properly identify wild birds. A detailed glossary accompanies each label for additional explanation.
What Bird
This fabulous site helps birders identify birds through a downloadable toolbar, visual characteristic search, songs and more. Bird identification courses are a great introduction to how to identify your backyard birds.
This fabulous site helps birders identify birds through a downloadable toolbar, visual characteristic search, songs and more. Bird identification courses are a great introduction to how to identify your backyard birds.
3 Steps to Easy Bird Identification
Three key steps for bird identification: observation, research and comparison.
Three key steps for bird identification: observation, research and comparison.