1. How to ID Birds: 1.Determine group 2.Determine species Size Surroundings (Habitat) Shade (Field Marks) Song What is it? Golden-crowned Kinglet

2. Determine Species: Size Use familiar birds to estimate size. ≈ 6 inches ≈ 10 inches ≈ 17 inches House Sparrow American Robin American Crow Downy Woodpecker Pileated Woodpecker Northern Flicker

3. Determine Species: Surroundings Belted Kingfisher We know the exact species, because only one species of this group occurs in Michigan. Species Distribution: Learn which birds live in or visit your area and in which seasons.

4. Determine Species: Habitat House Wren Marsh Wren Winter Wren www.birdsgonewild.org

5. Determine Species: Shade Field Marks and Plumage Patterns Learn to recognize plumage patterns and field marks.

6. Head Field Marks Crest Cap Eyeline stripe Eyebrow stripe Eye ring Throat patch Bill color Tufted Titmouse Chipping Sparrow Blue-gray Gnatcatcher White-crowned Sparrow

7. Tail Field Marks Notched or forked Rounded Straight Barred Location of white Barn Swallow Red-tailed HawkEastern Kingbird Cooper’s Hawk

8. Wing and Body Field Marks Wing patches Wing bars Breast stripes Colored flank or rump Leg color Yellow Warbler Northern Harrier Black-throated Blue Herring Gull

9. Determine Species: Song Learning to a bird’s song and calls can help you identify the bird to species (and know that it is around!) “Yank, yank, yank” Small tin horn White-breasted Nuthatch Red-breasted Nuthatch

10. How to ID Birds: Process of Elimination 1.Determine group Shape and silhouette Sweep Signs 2.Determine species Size Surroundings (Habitat) Shade (Field Marks) Song What is it? Ruby-crowned Kinglet

11. Get Outside, Practice and See More Birds! Go for a Walk Sit quietly in a favorite place Work in the garden Visit a new birding spot

12. Help Birds: Record What You See & Share Keep a checklist or journal –Life list –Backyard list –Submit to eBird Get involved local and state organizations Counts and Citizen Science

13. Homework Before class on March 31: Choose a spot, your backyard or a favorite nearby location, make a list of the birds you see and hear. Do your best! Anything that you do not recognize, take a picture, make a drawing in your journal or a list of field marks. For the birds you see and hear, whether you recognize them or not, look each up in your field guide. Read the description and take a close look at the range map.

14. White-throated Sparrow Migrating past your feeders soon?