Birds are fascinating creatures. There are different types, different colors, and every area seems to have unique birds that are unlike others. Perhaps this is why there are nearly 50 million people in the United States alone that consider themselves “Birders”. Each day, we have the opportunity to see an outstanding array of colors soaring high above our heads, and there are numerous people who attempt to capture their beauty on camera. Others simply prefer to pull out their binoculars and other things to catch a glimpse of what could be a one of a kind species in their area. No matter which type of bird watcher you are, you are not alone in your excitement.
For the Love of Birding
One of the first things you want to do as a birder is to familiarize yourself with birds that are common and uncommonly seen in your area. If you can, try to find a bird that you are absolutely excited about the idea of finding. At first, you may want to stick with a bird that can be seen often around your area. One such as a female cardinal or a pair of blue jays will be the perfect starter bird in some areas, since there are many and you will have several opportunities to see them and perhaps photograph them. The hardest part is knowing where to spot them and how to go about finding them.
Where to Find the Birds
It isn’t hard to find birds. They are everywhere. For every one single bird that you see, there are several more within the close vicinity of it. Your best bet if you are in search of a bird, is to travel near a water source, an open meadow, or any other place that a bird will need to visit eventually. It may be that you are simply driving along, and you pull over at a bridge to find that majestic bird that you have been searching to find. To spot it, you only need to think like a bird. Free your mind of all other things. Where would a bird feel safe? Are they perched in a tree? Blending in with flowers? Foraging for food nearby? Even if you do not spot a bird at first, keep searching for any hint of movement that could be a bird and eventually you will find what you have been searching for.
Listen to Your Surroundings
There are a lot of beautiful songs in nature, but birding requires you to listen for anything that could be a bird. It may be a tapping woodpecker that catches your attention or some of the other unique sounds that birds make. If it sounds unique, try to find out what it is by searching in the direction that you hear it. Not all birds sing the pretty tweet-tweets or nightingale calls that we consider bird sounds. Some croak or make other types of noises instead. If you hear something that does not sound like simple nature sound, investigate. If you cannot find it, try another area where you may have more success. Sometimes it is only a few steps away from where you begin.