Bird Watching Tips...

More than 70 million Americans are feeding and watching backyard birds. In fact, birding is one of the fastest-growing outdoor activities all around the world.

They are also found in all parts of the world that are not permanently covered by ice.

Add to this the fact that you can see them in any weather, any time of day or night, anywhere you go.

Unique Bird Watching Resources...

Do you know what kind of wild birds visit your garden... and during which season? Do you know which birds visit your parents' garden half-way across the country?

Get the answers with this easy-to-use, exclusive resource... the Regional Songbird Lists section of the article, Favorite Songbirds of the USA.

You might also be interested in Feeding Wild Birds... it has more details, as well as bird food recipes and tips.

Bird Watching Activities...

Did you know that 835 species of birds spend at least part of the year in North America? Happily for you and me, we can select a bird watching activity that best suits us... because there are so many to chose from:

• Simply viewing birds in nature
• Feeding birds
• Providing nesting sites or birdhouses
• Growing trees, shrubs, and flowers to attract birds
• Traveling to nature sanctuaries and other bird-watching locales
• Keeping lists and notes on birds seen in the wild
• Making diagrams and sketches of sightings
• Spending hours trying to snap the perfect photograph of a favorite bird species

Good Birding Locations...

Remember the question, "What are the three most important things for successful restaurants?" Well, it's the same for successful birding... "location... location... location."

Birds seen at a distance may be enjoyable to watch, but nothing beats seeing them "up close and personal"!

To broaden your bird-watching experience, consider incorporating some bird-rich locales into a vacation or family outing. Serious bird enthusiasts actually plan trips around bird sanctuaries, nature parks, and other natural locations. They can view birds in large numbers, in a diversity of species, and in their native habitats.

Traveling to another region of the country will allow you to see species you may have never seen before.

Basic Bird Watching Tips...

Wherever you go - your own backyard or another locale - make sure to follow these basic tips for bird watching:

• Try to observe the birds so they don't know you are there
• Move slowly
• Make as little noise as possible
• Keep your distance
• Refrain from getting too close to a nest (This may cause the parents to abandon their nest, leaving the eggs vulnerable to predators)
• Do not touch eggs or young birds
• Avoid trampling fragile natural areas just to get a closer look
• Stay on paths and trails
• Don't litter

Go to the Care of Wild Birds section for tips and resources on how to care for wild baby birds you may find on the ground in your garden.

As you begin to recognize birds by sight and by their songs, you will discover that your own backyard will start to come alive. You'll be amazed at how many birds are all around you, and how much you were missing before you started birding.

Whether you live in the country or the city, you'll find birds nearby... oblivious to us taking time out of our busy big lives to enjoy them going about their busy little lives!

Relevant Family-Friendly Sites...