If you enjoy watching birds, you might want to know how to identify them, too. It can be exciting to find a bird you haven't seen before, but it's even more exciting to be able to identify them. It's not always a simple thing to do, though. It can be frustrating if you don't have the proper information to work with. Of course having a good field guide is an excellent idea. However, you'll also need to glean some knowledge on your own before you can even use the field guide properly. If you're just starting out as a bird watcher, then, there are a few things you can do that will help you identify birds more accurately.

What's the Bird's Size?

One of the most important factors in identifying a bird will be its size. Is it the size of a robin, a small sparrow, a chicken, or even an ostrich? Would you characterize the bird as long or short, plump or skinny? The entire body should be taken into consideration, including the size of the beak, the size of the tail, and the size and shape of the wings as well.

What Color or Pattern Is the Bird?

The colors are another important thing to note when trying to identify birds. Certain birds tend to exhibit certain colors, so you can identify some birds by color or pattern alone. However, colors can trick you from time to time. The lighting can affect the color so that the bird appears a different color than he or she really is. In addition, make sure you note colors on each part of the body as well. Are the legs a certain color, the wings a specific color, or does it have any specific markings anywhere on the body? With a decent pair of birding binoculars the features of these feathered creatures can be viewed more closely.

Where Are You?

Believe it or not, your location can actually help you identify birds as well. Where are you when you bird watch? Are you on the water, inside a large forest? Are you enjoying some backyard birding? Certain types of bird tend to live in certain types of terrain. If the bird's in the water, wading or swimming, can it actually climb a tree, too? Does it fly, and if so, where and how? How does it move its tail? These are all questions to ask that can help you out when identifying the birds that you are watching.

Use Your Ears

One of the most important tips for beginner bird watchers that want to identify birds is to listen. Every single bird has a unique song that they sing and if you listen you may be able to identify the bird just by what you hear. If you are listening carefully, this can help you spot birds you'd never have noticed otherwise - remember, each bird species has a unique song. It won't always be a definite identification, especially from a distance, but it can certainly aid in identifying birds.

So, next time you go out bird watching adventure, keep these tips in mind to help you in your efforts. They'll help you identify the birds you see and have a more fun and rewarding experience out in the wild.