Body layout shows life strategy
Passerines (Songbirds)
Passerines, or birds belonging to the order Passeriformes, are the largest and most diverse group of birds on Earth. They are often referred to as “perching birds” or “songbirds
Corvidae: Crows, Jays, Ravens.Parulidae: Wood-Warblers.Turdidae: Thrushes (including Robins and Bluebirds)Fringillidae: True Finches.Hirundinidae: Swallows and Martins. Tyrannidae: Tyrant Flycatchers.
Western Meadow Lark
Yellow Headed Black Bird
Cedar Wax Wing
Mountain Blue bird
Raven
Yellow Rumped Warbler
Physical Tools
8 x 42 Binoculars are the most common used for bird watching it strikes a good balance between brightness + magnification and weight for carrying. The first digit 8 is the front lens width (higher means bigger lend and brighter image) and the second number is the effective magnification. An increase in either would increase weight.
20x to 60x spotting scopes are usually used for bird watching. These have greater stability and magnification than binoculars, but also greater weight since they are commonly supported by a stand.
There are many different guide books that are region specific. Some of the most commonly used are Audubon and Sibley guides. Many of these books come in small form factors so that they can be easily carried into the field.
Birds of Prey (Raptors)
Carniviourous birds with great vision that have sharp curved beaks and long talons for catching prey items.
Nocturnal Raptors (Active by Night)
Order Strigiformes (Owls): Owls have specialized feathers that allow for near-silent flight to ambush prey in the dark.
Diurnal Raptors (Active by Day)
Order Accipitriformes: This includes most familiar raptors. They generally build stick nests and have very strong grasping feet.
Hawks, eagles, vultures, and osprey
Order Falconiformes: Falcons
Harpy Eagle
Osprey
Great Horned Owl
Black Vulture
Tips
Mornings and evening will have more bird activity.
Pick a place with a diversity of plants or near water ways wait and listen.
Learn the bird calls.
Small birds often fly in a semi reliable loop. If you spot a bird and miss it may return to that location another time or day.
Near-Passerines (Arboreal Non-Songbirds)
Woodpeckers (Piciformes)
Hummingbirds & Swifts (Apodiformes)
Pigeons & Doves (Columbiformes)
Shorebirds & Waders (Order Charadriiformes & Pelecaniformes)
American Avocet
Laughing Gull
Brown Pelican
Snowy Egret (Pelecaniformes)
black necked stilt
Killdeer
Waterfowl (Order Anseriformes)
Northern Shoveler
Wood ducks
Canada Goose
Landfowl (Order Galliformes)
Quail
Great Curassow
Willow Ptarmigan
