Birds

The Fascinating World of Birds and Ornithology

Man has always been fascinated with flight, and lacking the inability to soar through the air, we dream. Our cumbersome jets can't come close to the beauty and effortless beauty that a bird can achieve in flight. The pursuit of ornithology appeals to those who dream and those who appreciate the natural world and its diverse wildlife. While there is a lot to learn about bird watching, it really comes down to a love of ecology, of birds, and of continuing the search for the next elusive rare bird. Here are some tips that will help beginning ornithologists discover the joy of bird watching.

You can, and should, just go outside in your backyard or in your local park and look at the birdlife. Seeing them interacting with the environment, even if that environment is in the midst of a large city, is the perfect way to introduce yourself to bird watching. For a more in depth approach, pick up a field guide for your area of the country. Petersen's is a top choice for beginners, and they even have a junior edition for aspiring ornithologists that is user-friendly and won't overwhelm them. Another good choice for beginners is An Identification Guide for Backyard Birds. This gives you the information you need to make your backyard your top bird watching spot.

Next, you have to have binoculars. If you can fit it comfortably into your budget, it is well worth it to get the best pair that you can afford. With an inexpensive pair, you'll likely be able to spot birds, but you'll have no idea what the ball of fuzz is, which does little to help your pursuit of ornithology. A better pair simply provides a better view and will help you distinguish between species of bird.

What are you looking for? This is an important question to ask yourself, and the field guides to your area's species will do much to help you answer it. But you'll also want to learn about the habitats of different species. What are their nesting and mating habits? What are the distinguishing characteristics of the bird for which you are searching? What does their song sound like? This knowledge will help you find what you're looking for - and what you weren't look for!

The best way to immerse yourself in bird watching is to go on a guided tour or trip devoted to the pursuit. Not only does this provide you with an expert and a guide to point out species to you, but it puts you in contact with fellow bird watchers. Bird watchers as a whole tend to be very friendly and very eager to share their knowledge with beginners. Even more than field guide books, these people can provide you with invaluable tips and tricks.

You can go to the birds, or you can bring the birds to you. Building a backyard bird habitat is not only a positive for the ecology of your area, it is remarkably easy. You can do something as simple as putting out a pot of bright red geraniums to encourage hummingbirds to flit by. You can sprinkle bird seed or sunflower seeds across a portion of your lawn, and then sit back to enjoy the show. The National Wildlife Federation can help you get started with their Backyard Habitat program. Your choice of flowers or the decision to build a birdhouse can help you attract birdlife to your own backyard.

Don't discount the joy and variety you can find in your own backyard. There are over 800 bird species in North America alone, and it is likely that at least 100 different varieties in your area. That is an incredibly rich opportunity that is available to anyone, no matter where they live.

Bird watching is not difficult to enter into, nor is it an expensive hobby - unless you want to get $900 binoculars and go to the Galapagos! In that case, it can be pricy. But to start, all you need is a pair of binoculars and some time to spend searching. A notebook for recording your observations is also helpful. Many birders find that bird watching helps them appreciate nature and see it better. There's a whole world waiting when we take the time to see it. It is relaxing, exciting, and practical; many of the most important discoveries the scientific world has made regarding bird life has actually come from amateur bird watchers with a passion for their pursuit.

Bird watchers, above all, have great respect for the winged creates they are observing. They do not tax or stress the birds, so observations are done quietly with minimal intrusion on the environment. Bird watchers tend to want to create safe and bountiful habitats for birds, whether in their backyard or in their local forests. The birds, in return, provide endlessly interesting variety and joy for their watchers.

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