Birdwatching Tips for Beginners
 Beginners
can enjoy this simple, rewarding pastime for little more than the
cost of gasoline and a trip to the library. You’ll want…
- Roger Tory Peterson’s bird identification book recommended
by "birders." It is lightweight, comprehensive, and
has full-color pictures. Though Kansas is on the dividing line
of eastern and western birds, A FIELD GUIDE TO EASTERN BIRDS is
a good choice. Most public libraries carry these.
- A pair of binoculars (10X or 7x35) or a spotting scope. While
this is an important accessory, lack of one should not keep you
from birdwatching.
- A "life-time list" where every new sighting is recorded. Important
to most birdwatchers, you can begin with the list found on this
Web site.
When a bird is sighted, study the species well, keeping in mind
the criteria below. Then pull out the bird book; birds usually do
not remain still for long.
Look for specifics such as:
Color: predominant colors and location on body? Spot colors
and location?
Body: chunky? slender? compare with familiar species.
Tail: long or short? divided? wide or narrow? different
colors along edges? notched?
Head: placement, size and color of stripes? plumage color?
topknot?
Beak: long or short? curve down or up? cross at points?
color? slender?
Wings: placement, size and color of bars? tip color and
shape? shape in flight?
Feet and Legs: length? shape? color? webbed toes?
 Call
and song: recordings of these are available at libraries or
for purchase. Many calls will become familiar as observations increase.
Other birdwatchers are a good source and there are books with bird
songs spelled out on the music staff.
Habits, habitat and food are also indicators for the birdwatcher.
Each bird species differs from another often in many ways. Distinguishing
these differences is the key to birdwatching. However, every bird
need not be identified in order for birdwatching to be fun.
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