Bird Watching for Dummies Cheat Sheet

Narrow it down to its order or family, if possible.

For example, is it a duck, a hawk, a warbler, a sparrow . . .? If you can do that, you can narrow your search within your field guide.

Estimate its size.

Bigger than a crow? Roughly robin-size? Small, like a chickadee?

Note the mystery bird’s distinguishing features.

Look for bill size and shape, posture, flapping pattern, behavior, colors, and color pattern. All of these will help you pick it out of the lineup in your field guide.

If you can snap a photo, try loading it into the Merlin app.

Note: Merlin is very good at bird ID . . .most of the time.

Adjust the hinge (pull the barrels apart or push them together) to match the distance between your eyes.

When holding the binocular up to your eyes, you should be able to see clearly through both barrels with no black areas.

Adjust the eye cups by screwing them up or down.

Most glasses wearers prefer the cups to be fully down; those without glasses usually prefer them to be fully up.

If your vision has been corrected and is similar in both eyes, adjust the diopter to the central position, usually identified by a notch or arrow.

Check a distant object; is it clear in both barrels? Now look at a closer object; is it clear in both barrels? If so, you're done! If not…

For those whose vision has not been corrected (by contact lenses, prescription glasses, or cataract surgery) and with vision that is not the same in each eye: you will need to adjust the diopter to your vision.

Lift the binocular to your eyes. First, close your right eye (or cover the far end of the right barrel). Using only your left eye, find an object 50 to 100 feet away, and adjust the central focusing knob to make that object crystal clear and sharp. Now, close your left eye (or cover the left barrel) and open your right eye. Find the same object you focused on with your left eye and use the diopter (NOT the central focusing knob) to make this object crystal clear and sharp. Your binocular is now adjusted to accommodate the difference in vision of your left and right eye, and you will be able to use the central focusing knob — not the diopter — to focus both barrels of the binocular. You won't need to readjust the diopter unless you loan your binocular to someone who resets it for their vision!

Respect and promote birds and their environment.

1. Support the conservation of birds and their habitats. Engage in and promote bird-friendly practices whenever possible, such as keeping cats and other domestic animals indoors or controlled, acting to prevent window strikes, maintaining safe feeding stations, landscaping with native plants, drinking shade-grown coffee, and advocating for conservation policies. Be mindful of any negative environmental impacts of your activities, including contributing to climate change. Reduce or offset such impacts as much as you are able.
2. Avoid stressing birds or exposing them to danger. Be particularly cautious around active nests and nesting colonies, roosts, display sites, and feeding sites. Limit the use of recordings and other audio methods of attracting birds, particularly in heavily birded areas, for species that are rare in the area, and for species that are threatened or endangered. Always exercise caution and restraint when photographing, recording, or otherwise approaching birds.
3. Always minimize habitat disturbance. Consider the benefits of staying on trails, preserving snags, and similar practices.

Respect and promote the birding community and its individual members.

1. Be an exemplary ethical role model by following this Code and leading by example. Always bird and report with honesty and integrity.
2. Respect the interests, rights, and skill levels of fellow birders, as well as people participating in other outdoor activities. Freely share your knowledge and experience and be especially helpful to beginning birders.
3. Share bird observations freely, provided such reporting would not violate other sections of this Code, as birders, ornithologists, and conservationists derive considerable benefit from publicly available bird sightings.
4. Approach instances of perceived unethical birding behavior with sensitivity and respect; try to resolve the matter in a positive manner, keeping in mind that perspectives vary. Use the situation as an opportunity to teach by example and to introduce more people to this Code.
5. In group birding situations, promote knowledge by everyone in the group of the practices in this Code and ensure that the group does not unduly interfere with others using the same area.

Respect and promote the law and the rights of others.

1. Never enter private property without the landowner’s permission. Respect the interests of and interact positively with people living in the area where you are birding.
2. Familiarize yourself with and follow all laws, rules, and regulations governing activities at your birding location. In particular, be aware of regulations related to birds, such as disturbance of protected nesting areas or sensitive habitats, and the use of audio or food lures. Birding should be fun and help build a better future for birds, for birders, and for all people. Birds and birding opportunities are shared resources that should be open and accessible to all. Birders should always give back more than they take.

If you find an injured hawk, please realize that there is some risk of injury — to you — if you attempt to capture it.

See if you can assess its injury: a damaged wing or foot, for example. Realize that the talons are the most dangerous part, outfit yourself with thick leather gloves, throw a blanket over it (especially its head), and secure the bird’s ankles with a gloved hand. Wrap it in the blanket for transfer to a container. Tucking the bird under your arm while holding its ankles is the best way to keep it from flapping but keep that bill away from your face and any exposed skin. It does little good to contact a rehabilitator until you actually have the bird contained; they do not have time to answer calls for help, only to receive injured wildlife. It is very helpful to get good, clear cellphone photos of the bird to send to any rehabilitator you are able to contact. Species ID and assessment of injuries can often be done through photos and video.

Obtain a secure container slightly bigger than the bird, such as a dog or cat carrier, a cardboard box, a plastic container (put air holes in the lid).

A folded paper grocery bag, clipped shut, is perfect for small songbirds. Gently place the bird inside. Put the bird and its container in a safe, quiet spot until you are ready to…

Transport the bird to your nearest bird rehabilitator.

If you don't know who or where that is, search the internet for "wildlife rehabilitator" and the name of your city and state. Or visit the website of the National Wildlife Rehabilitator's Association, www.nwrawildlife.org/. Under "Resources," you'll find a map. Click on your state to find contact info for wildlife rehabbers, searching specifically for bird rehabbers near you. Do not try to care for the bird yourself. Its odds of survival are highest when it is cared for by someone with the skills and equipment to diagnose and treat its ailments. Also, it is illegal to possess native wildlife (except while transporting it to a rehabber).

Baby birds: If you find a young nestling on the ground, put it back in its nest if you can find and reach it.

Older fully feathered baby birds naturally hop on the ground before they're quite ready to fly. It is normal and natural. Its parents are probably watching nearby. Keep dogs and cats away from it. If its parents don't return within several hours or by dusk, assume it is an orphan, and go back to steps 2 and 3 above.

The best advice we can give is to prepare yourself ahead of time.

Locate a local wildlife rehabilitator, or several, and keep their contact information where you can easily find it. That way you aren’t at a loss when you come upon wildlife in need.