Bird Identification Tips

By Melissa Mayntz, About.com Guide to Birding / Wild Birds

Birding is much more enjoyable when you are able to identify the different wild birds you see. From basic bird identification tips to more advanced techniques, this information will help you enhance your birding ID skills so you can be confident about accurately identifying even the most challenging birds.

1. Bird Identification Basics
2. Challenging Bird IDs

Bird Identification Basics

Whether you are a novice or experienced birder, brushing up on basic identification techniques can help you improve your birding skills. Knowing how best to observe birds and just what to look for can help you become an expert at identification.

• Easy Bird Identification Steps
• Identifying Male and Female Birds
• Hummingbird Identification Tips

• Identifying Baby and Juvenile Birds
• Juvenile Bird Identification Gallery
• Submit Your Photos for ID Help

Challenging Bird IDs

Some bird species look so much alike that they can confuse even the most experienced and knowledgeable birders. These species comparisons and quick reference ID tables can help you perfect your bird identification skills with any challenging birds.

• Cooper's Hawk or Sharp-Shinned Hawk?
• Downy Woodpecker or Hairy Woodpecker?