Birding

From how to get started to what you need and where to go.

Birds are all around us.

They’re huddling in the shrubs outside of our apartments, bopping around our backyards, and foraging at local parks and lakes. No matter where you live, birds are nearby, just waiting for you to notice them. And once you do, you might find it hard to stop. That’s because birding—the act of appreciating and observing birds—not only provides a new perspective on the natural world, but it also delivers an immense sense of joy and satisfaction. So what are you waiting for?

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How to Start Birding ID Tips and Skills In the Field

Getting Started

Did you look out your window and see a bird today? Hear one while running errands? Congratulations! You’re a birder. It really is that easy. Of course, you might want to know the name of those species, or where you can find more birds. If you do, check out below for some birding basics. 

People birding in a green space.

How to Start Birding

A beginner's guide to finding and appreciating birds.
Let's Do This

Identifying Birds

Putting names to the birds you see can be a rewarding experience. A successful ID is the goal, but the journey is just as important. By trying to identify a species, you get to know the bird and its habitat better—by watching its movements, noting its field marks, considering its call. Whether you’re curious about a backyard visitor or stumped by a shorebird, we have a wealth of ID tips and skills for birders of all levels. 

ID Tips and Skills

From warblers to woodpeckers, let us help you figure out what you're seeing—or hearing.
Help Me Out

Birding Advice

A funny thing happens once you start birding: It becomes hard to stop. New target species, goal destinations, how to keep improving your skills—it can be both exhilarating and overwhelming at the same time. From tips on how to find elusive species to helpful tech and best practices for the field, our ever-growing collection of advice and stories will help you expand your experience.

Photo: Sydney Walsh/Audubon

In the Field

Whether searching for a certain species or planning your next big trip, we have you covered.
Get Out There

Essential Reading

Foster your love for birds by feeding them at home, and be sure to check out our recommendations for binoculars and other gear. 

Bird Feeding and Care
Gear and Resources

The Birdist’s Rules of Birding

Contributor Nick Lund, aka The Birdist, regularly provides serious—as well as tongue-in-cheek—advice for new and experienced birders.
Learn the Rules

Most Recent Birding Stories 

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Camilla Cerea/National Audubon Society
The Audubon Dictionary For Birders
January 13, 2015 — Get your bird-word knowledge up to date.
The Birding Scene
How the Birdchick Got Her Groove
January 01, 2015 — Sharon Stiteler discusses birding in a different time, without binoculars or the Internet.
Why I'm a Birder
Courtesy of J. Drew Lanham
The Freedom to Bird
January 01, 2015 — For ornithologist Drew Lanham, it started with the (in)ability to fly.
Why I'm a Birder
Bird Talk with Jane Alexander
January 01, 2015 — For this Tony Award-winning actress, avian conservation is a big part of being a birder.
Why I'm a Birder
Courtesy Karl Mechen
How to Become an (Inept) Birder: Stumble Into It
January 01, 2015 — Karl Mechem, better known as the Inept Birder, recalls his first dalliance with birding, and marvels at how far he’s come (sort of).
Why I'm a Birder
Atlantic Puffin. Lorraine Minns/Audubon Photography Awards Black-billed Cuckoo. Shayna Hartley/Audubon Photography Awards Black Vulture. Melyssa St. Michael/Audubon Photography Awards Common Nighthawk. Connor Charchuk/Audubon Photography Awards Eared Grebe. Peter Knoot/Audubon Photography Awards Bufflehead. Pam Polcyn/Audubon Photography Awards Dovekie. Allan Hopkins/Flickr Creative Commons Golden-winged Warbler. Arni Stinnissen/Audubon Photography Awards Gray-headed Swamphen. Gaurika Wijeratne/Flickr (BY-NC-ND 2.0) Common Grackle. Caroline Samson/Audubon Photography Awards
Aplomado Falcon. Felix Tam/Audubon Photography Awards Blue Jay. Brian Kushner/Audubon Photography Awards Acorn Woodpecker. George Scott/Audubon Photography Awards Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher. Jesse Gordon/Audubon Photography Awards American Flamingo. Ken Mirman/Audubon Photography Awards Blue Jay. Brian Kushner/Audubon Photography Awards American Coot. Mark Eden/Great Backyard Bird Count Golden-fronted Woodpecker. Ellen Cox/Audubon Photography Awards
Explore our catalogue of over 800 North American Birds