Just got your first bird guide and not sure how to use it? Feeling overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information on each page? This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from what a field guide is to how to make the most of it and improve your birdwatching experience.
What is a bird field guide/field guide?
A bird field guide is a collection of descriptions, illustrations and range maps that assist a birdwatcher with identifying the birds they see. They may also include bird’s behaviour and distribution, with some digital versions also having audio recording of bird calls for further identification.
A bird guide is one of the most reliable tools a birdwatcher can have. While it might seem daunting at first, especially to beginners, learning how to use it effectively will greatly enhance your birdwatching experience.
Getting Started: How to pick your bird field guide
The most important characteristics of a bird guide are its portability, its ease of use and its accuracy. Many people now prefer digital or mobile guides as they offer more convenience and accuracy with quick updates.
To make birdwatching easier and more enjoyable, pick a guide that:
- Covers the birds found in your local area
- Uses clear images or illustrations
- Organises information in a simple, user-friendly way
Recommendations:
- The Australian Bird Guide
- Simpson and Day: Field Guide to the Birds of Australia
- Pizzey and Knight: The Field Guide to the Birds of Australia
Sections
So, you’ve chosen your bird guide, now how do you make the most of it? Taking time to understand how to use its main sections will be incredibly helpful when on field. Most guides follow a similar format, so learning how they work will help you find information quickly.
Index
This is essentially your shortcut to any bird species you’re looking. If you need to quickly search for a specific bird species, using the index can help with looking up specific bird species by name. It tells you what page to turn to so you don’t have to flip through the entire book.
Species Accounts
This is where you find the bulk of your information.
Each entry contains the following:
- The bird’s common and scientific names
- A detailed description
- A range map
- Notes on behaviour and habitat
- Illustrations or photos
This is what you refer back to for more detailed oriented identification.
How to identify bird with bird field guide
Contrary to what you might expect, your bird field guide is often times the last step of identification process, as it serves as a way to match a face to a name. If you flip through the guide too soon, you can miss key details and slow down your identification.
The process you should follow for the most part is:
- Watch the bird carefully.
- Take quick notes or sketch what you see.
- Use your guide later to match your notes with the correct species.
This way even if your target moves, you still have enough information to identify them.
Some key characteristics you should look out for are:
- Habitat: Where did you see it?
- Size and shape: Pay close attention to its beak, wings and tail
- Colour and patterns: Notice any significant markings or colour variation
- Sound of its call: Either describe or record its song
- Behaviour: What was it doing?
Keeping notes on these attributes will allow you to better match the birds you spot. Keeping a list of the birds you spot is also very important, as it helps grow your knowledge base on local species in your area.
Practice regularly and stay patient. You’ll get better at bird identification the more you observe, take notes, and use your guide. Eventually, you’ll recognise many birds on sight and that’s when the real fun begins.