Backyard Explorations! Bird Series - Part 1

11 APRIL 2020
Backyard Explorations - Birds and signs of Spring!

What is a bird?

A bird is a vertebrate (animal that has a backbone) that posses feathers, a toothless beak/bill and lay eggs with a hard shell. They belong to the Class Aves and are referred to as avian species.

How can we identify birds?

Birds can be identified by their size and shape, feathers (shape and structure), the colors and patterns of those feathers and the songs and calls that they make. Observing bird behavior and the habitat that you find them in are also key ways to identify birds. 

There are many apps out there that you can put on your phone or other device that help you to ID birds. Suggested apps: Song Sleuth, Merlin Bird ID, Audubon Bird Guide and eBird are just a few.

To learn more click HERE for the Cornell Lab of Ornithology page and build your bird ID skills! 

Where can you find and observe birds?

Often birds like to perch on tree, bush/ shrub branches, fence posts, power lines and other structures. This allows the birds a space to call/ sing from, forage for food and observe what is around them. Sometimes you can find birds on the ground foraging for insects or worms or other things that they eat. If you have a bird feeder or nesting box near your home this is also a great was to observe these awesome critters.

If you are wanting to find and observe specific birds it is worth it to do a little research. Find out what habitat you are most likely to see that bird in and then visit habitat that is similar to make your observations. Ex. If I wanted to observe Great Blue Herons I would go to a habitat where this is water. Herons are great at fishing and use their long bill to stab or spear fish and other prey.

Original video for this lesson to come soon! It was too Large to load as one clip.

Please enjoy the photos below of some Idaho birds

These two photos show American Coots and Mallard Ducks on Fisher pond in Cascade, Idaho. As you can tell, I am super amazing at photography.

These photos were taken through my binoculars in Riggins, Idaho. If you look on the highest point of the rocks in the center of the photo you can see a Chukar. You can't see it very well but that's what it is!