Improve Your Notetaking

Taking notes is a great way to learn about birds like me. And also capture many good memories and experiences.

When you see a bird, don’t rush to the bird book or field guide to identify it. Remember, the bird isn’t going to stick around for you. It will eventually fly away. The photo in the book will remain, but the actual bird will not. So relax and study it, noting what you see.

Some things you might want to jot down about us include:

• Shape and size: Is it plump or slender? About the size of a robin or larger?

• Body parts: Do the legs look long or short? Is the beak short or skinny? Does it have a crested head or maybe a forked tail?

• Color and Markings: Are there prominent bands of color or eyestripes? Does it have a speckled breast?

• Movement: How does it fly? Does it glide or swoop? How does it do on the ground or on a branch? Does it run or hop? Does it bob its tail?

• Location/Season: Where did you see it? What was the habitat like? What was the weather like?