Bird Identification Learning Tools

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Bird ID Skills Introduction Susan Ballinger’s classroom presentation.

Common Birds of North Central Washington Poster.  Produced by North Central Washington Audubon Society.  Features digital photos of 50 species commonly seen in the Wenatchee Valley.

Inside Birding:  How-To Videos For Learning Bird Identification.  Each of four 10-minute video takes an in-depth look at one of their four basic keys: Size & Shape, Color Pattern, Behavior, and Habitat.Cornell Lab of Ornithology All About Birds.

Inside Birding:  Building Skills Tutorial. Bird watchers can identify many species from just a quick look. They’re using the four keys to visual identification: Size & Shape,Color PatternBehavior, and Habitat. Cornell Lab of Ornithology All About Birds.

Sibley Guides Quizzes.

The Feather Atlas: Flight Feathers of North American Birds. This website promotes feather identificaton, research, and appreciation by providing high-resolution scans of the flight feathers of North American birds. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Live Bird Cameras.  Watch read-time birds in nests including osprey, red-tailed hawk, CA condor, and hummingbirds at a feeder (>15 cameras),

Poster:  Hummingbirds of North America by Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Best Binoculars:

Cornell Lab How to Choose Binoculars: Our testing tips

Cornell Lab Review: Affordable Full-sized 8×42 binoculars 12/2022

The 2014 Audubon Guide to Binoculars. Explanation of binocular parts and recommendations in several price ranges.

Identification Tips:

ID Tips.  The National Audubon Society website’s short and helpful illustrated “ID Tips” page.  Check out this example, “How to Tell a Raven From a Crow.

Cornell Lab Project Feederwatch Tricky Bird ID   Check out tips for distinguishing sharp-shinned and Cooper’s hawk, purple, Cassin’s, and house finches, and downy and hairy woodpeckers.