• Kayla
      Participant
      Chirps: 24
      Hello! I've been trying to help out a little with beginner birders with tips and hints (with a pamphlet). However, I'm not quite sure what information could be useful to them. For example, I know many birders need some help on identification. Others might have some questions on field sketching or bird calls. If anyone has any topics that they would've liked to have known about, it'd be fantastic if you shared! In other words, what are some questions about birding? Thank you so much. :)
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    • Sarah
      Participant
      Chirps: 50
      When I was a new birder, I paged through all my field guides trying to uncover the difference between a juvenile bird and an immature. They all used the words interchangeably, so I think you should establish the differences of all the bird ages. Maybe explain eclipse ducks also.
      • Annabeth
        Participant
        Chirps: 107
        Exactly what I did Sarah. I just flipped through looking at species accounts.  I started birding a year ago and since I have loved it. Though I'm a young 10 year old.
      • Sarah
        Participant
        Chirps: 50

        @Annabeth That's awesome that you started so young. I started around that age and I'm 16 now.

    • Yvonne
      Participant
      Chirps: 7
      Is there a special time of day to make it easier to spot the birds.  I put all kinds of birds seed out for the birds, but they dont eat much.  How may I set up a place to see them better?  I've never watched for birds before.
      • RON
        Participant
        Chirps: 1
        I have a feeder on my deck I put it on a 8 ft. 2 x 2 just a round plastic plate and the birds like it and, on the rail, also for the smaller birds to feed also, simple works the best .
      • S
        Participant
        Chirps: 6
        I’m seeing morning about 10 and afternoon around 4.. is that what the feed times is in your neighborhood.
      • Annabeth
        Participant
        Chirps: 107
        Make sure a tree or bush is blocking the feeder or they won't be able to see it.
    • Ava Lyerly
      Participant
      Chirps: 26
      Thank You Kayla!  I have been birding for at least a year, and can identify all the birds in my area visually, however I am still struggling at identifying bird calls.  Even if I know them, it just wont come to my head in time to identify.  For instance, just yesterday I heard a bird song that was definitely new to my area, but I had heard recordings of it before when studying.  I first thought a vireo, and found out it wasn't one after looking it up on Merlin ID.  After looking though my areas birds, I saw Ruby-crowned Kinglet and listened to its call.  Sure enough, it was a Ruby-crowned kinglet.  The best part is I have Ruby-crowned kinglets at my feeder now! All said, I am still having trouble identifying bird calls.  So if you have any tips, that would be very helpful!  Thank you
      • Kayla
        Participant
        Chirps: 24
        Hi! Thanks for replying! Very cool story about the Ruby-crowned Kinglet! Bird calls can be pretty tricky...one of the ways that helps to remember bird calls is to split each call into smaller parts and break them apart into different characteristics. Some examples of this is to separate a call based on different pitch, trills, or rhythm. Sometimes, although it might be a little strange, I'll repeat the calls to myself to engrave it in my permanent memory. :) In addition, even looking at spectrograms benefits your ability to identify calls! A lot of birds have repeating segments, and by remembering what the phrase is and knowing how many times it's repeated can definitely help with differentiating different calls. The Northern Cardinal repeats the beginning of the downward slur several times, and its song is usually fairly clear and crisp. Some birds may have a raspier song, or possibly a smooth and "laser-like" voice. The way that each bird's voice sounds, much like humans will probably be different! When people see an image along with audio, this will help commit both the images and sound to memory and will associate one with the other. I may suggest taking note of the pitch and duration of the notes. It's impressive how you identified the Ruby-crowned Kinglet! Moreover, one of the most important factors to take in is practicing and time. Taking just a couple of minutes to focus on bird calls or songs can, over time, help drastically with song identification. These are just a couple of suggestions--many other techniques may work fantastic for you and others, and I suggest you continue doing what helps you. :) I really hope this helps! Have a wonderful day.
      • Annabeth
        Participant
        Chirps: 107
        Little bit, You can go to the course on bird calls on Bird Academy to learn how to identify bird calls. Hope this helps.