Originally Posted by
DnvrFox
The ?male? was within 20 feet of me as ?he? flew over, and in the tree maybe 40-50 feet. Didn't need them this time, but not a bad suggestion! I have never learned how to effectively use a bird book. I look and look and, eventually they all look the same, sort of.
birding ID is something that takes practice, you need to do a rough ID(ie,Hawk,sparrow,etc.
Then it is the markings that you need to take note of,as in shape, /color of beak, color/marks of breast,any marks or color on sides,color /shape/markings of tail, sounds of call,Then go to the book and look at the pictures and read the discriptions,including the call,and determine what the bird is..as I said , it takes doing it for some time,to get better at it..especially the "rough" ID...