Birding 101

Birding in the San Bernardino Mountains

I sometimes teach an introductory course on birds and birdwatching I call “Birding 101.” I know some readers may already be active birders, but many who have a casual interest in birds might be contemplating joining the ranks of America’s 51 million “birders.” Yes, birding is a very popular activity in the US! In fact, it has been the fastest growing outdoor activity since 1983.

So, for those of you who are thinking about becoming a birder, I’m happy to provide the following tips and information that I typically share in my Birding 101 class.

The single most important thing you need is a decent pair of binoculars. You can spend quite a lot of money on binoculars, but you really don’t have to. Nikon and Bushnell are consumer brands that sell binoculars for $100 to $350 for good quality, entry level field glasses. Higher end brands include Zeiss, Leitz, and Swarovski. Expect to pay $1,400 to nearly $4,000 for these. They have amazing optics and are great binoculars, but you don’t need them unless you’re leading birding tours around the world.

Avoid binoculars with features like night vision, zoom, and built-in cameras. They sound glitzy, but those features are typically added at the expense of good optics.

Binoculars come in a wide variety of sizes, magnifications, and styles. I prefer binoculars that are 8 x 40. The 8 refers to the magnification (in this case, things appear eight times closer) and the second number is the diameter in millimeters of the lens farthest away from your eye (called the objective). Anything less than 8 makes it difficult to see field marks of a bird to help you identify it. The size of the objective lens will determine how bright and wide your view is. A typical pair of 8 x 40 binoculars will give you a 331 ft field of view at 1000 yards.

You can choose compact or full size binoculars. I prefer full size, but they are heavier and larger than compacts. The objective lens in compact binoculars is usually 25-30 mm, so a little less bright and a narrower field of view. But they’re a lot easier to pack and lug around.

Steller's Jay

Field guides are essential for all but the most expert birders. There are several excellent printed field guides, but many people have switched over to using birding apps on their smart phone. My two favorites are Merlin and the Audubon Bird Guide. They are both completely free and work on IOS and Android phones. Whether you choose a printed bird guide or a smartphone app, spend some time going through it to familiarize yourself with the species in your area. And by all means, if you come across a bird you'd really like to see in nature, make note of its habitat and what time of year it can be seen in your area. Make it a goal to find that bird!

The next question on everyone’s mind is “where should I go birding?” The answer is “anywhere!”

Acorn woodpecker

Birds are literally everywhere… cities, suburbs, parks, seashores, forests, and deserts. Wherever you go, there will be birds, including your yard. So that might be a good place to start. You can set up a bird feeder in your yard to attract some feathered friends, but you don’t have to. As I said, there will always be birds around.

To get started, I advise people to look, listen, and wait. Look for movement in and around shrubs, trees, lawns, fences, utility wires, etc. Birds can show up anywhere. Have your binoculars ready and when you see a bird, keep looking at it and carefully bring your binoculars up to your eyes. If you’ve kept your gaze steady, the bird should appear before your eyes. Take note of its size, its predominant color(s), and any distinct markings such as streaks or spots, a different colored head, bands on the tail, a pronounced head crest, or wing bars. Is it smaller than a robin? Larger than a pigeon? Does it have long legs like a wading bird? A hooked beak suggesting a bird of prey? Try to note at least three things about the bird’s appearance and then consult your field guide or birding app. An important aspect of identifying your bird is knowing what species are not typically found in your area. This is where the Merlin app really excels. If you are trying to identify a hawk you are looking at, the Merlin app will only show you a list of the hawks found in your area. No need to wade through a list of species that live on the other side of the country or are only in your area during a different time of year.

Lesser goldfinch

As you spend more time in the field birding, you’ll become familiar with the species that occupy certain habitats. You may also start to notice certain behaviors that will provide clues to a species’ identity. For example, a black phoebe will often sit on a prominent perch such as a fence post and twitch its tail up and down. Goldfinches in flight have a pattern of flapping and tucking their wings, which causes them to “dip” down a bit and then regain a few inches of altitude when they start flapping again.

Finally, bird songs and calls can help you identify a bird even if you can’t see it. That is another wonderful feature of the Merlin app. It has a “Sound” button that listens and tells you in real time the identity of any birds it hears. It is extremely accurate, but every now and then it seems not to “hear” something that I am hearing. On the other hand, it often can detect a bird singing or calling that I can’t hear.

I invite you to get a pair of binoculars and join the other 51 million birders out there. See you in the field!