Identifying birds may be challenging, you need a quick eye to spot as many as details in a short interval of time because birds may escape in a very little span of time.
Following are some steps to identify a bird:
1-Keep your eye on the bird:
When you see a bird don't immediately flip through the field guide but first look the details of bird.Single moment of viewing bird is precious.Keep monitoring and studying the bird, absorb details of its markings, movements, sound, feeding habit and size. Quickly note down or sketch that you have watched.
2-Listen for calls and sounds:
Sound is one of the basic tool in identifying the bird.Listening to bird's sound is an easy thing but remembering it is more difficult.So when you are listening to bird's call also keep an eye on the bird, in this way later it will be easier for you to associate a call to a bird.
3-Estimate General Size and Shape:
A general view of bird with respect to size and shape will give youan ease to place it in the correct family.Therefore begin with the assessment of the bird's overall appearance. Then its overall size, you may estimate bird's size relative to some other bird that you know well.
4-Make note of Facial Markings and Bill Characteristics:
Once you have noticed the the general size and shape, now you are ready to note the details.Start from the head first, look for distinctive strips and patches of colors on the head and with the eyes of bird.Also note the color of bird's bill and its size relative to the head.
5-Look for Wing bars and Tail Shape:
Next look for the details features on the bird's body tail and wings. Note the color patches on the bird's wing when it is stationary or flying.What color is on its back or belly?What is the length of the tail as compared to the body length?What is the shape of the tail?
6-Observe leg color and length:
Now observe the legs of the bird.Note their length and color.Also note the type of feet if you have a glimpse of its feet.
7-Study movements and flight patterns:
Now observe the way in which bird walks or jumps from branch to branch.Or when it fly off check in which pattern it flies does it swoop up and down or in some other way.
8-Determine the feeding habits:
If you can observe the bird during eating, note that whether it cling to a tree trunk and dig at the bark looking for insects? or does it search for food in your lawn? Does it looks for food in water?
9-Describe habitat region and climate:
Also note the habitat in which you have seen the bird.You may do this when the bird has flown away so leave this step for the last. As each species of bird has its own habitat so when you have known the habitat it becomes easier for you to identify the bird.Some birds migrates yearly so also note the time of the year.
10-Record your observations:
Once you have observed the bird completely jot down the details on a notebook for later reference.Also note the date and time of sitting.
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