Identifying Birds
Study Up
ID Tips
Learn to Tell a Cackling Goose From a Canada Goose
Don’t let this ID cook your goose. Here are a few tips to help you solve the puzzle.
ID Tips
Greater or Lesser Scaup? Here Are the Biggest Differences Between the Two
It’s a challenging ID, but head shape can take you a long way.
ID Tips
House Finch or Purple Finch? Here's How to Tell Them Apart
Some clues to help distinguish between these two often-confused finches.
The Birdist’s Rules of Birding
Birdist Rule #65: How to Tell the Difference Between Crows
Uh, wait … there’s more than one kind?
The Birdist’s Rules of Birding
Birdist Rule #60: Figure Out What Kind of Vulture Is Circling You
(And creep your friends out while you're at it.)
The Birdist’s Rules of Birding
Birdist Rule #20: Identify Your First Gull
They are not easy, but they are worth it. Probably.
Quizzes
Christmas Bird Count
A Photo ID Quiz That's Perfect for Beginner Birders
Test your birding knowledge with 10 species often found during the Christmas Bird Count.
All ID Stories
ID Tips
Dark-eyed Juncos, Backyard Gems, Come in a Dazzling Array of Colors
March 01, 2019 — The six flavors of junco were long considered separate species. Recent science shows that they instead boldly exhibit evolution in real time.
ID Tips
Is That a Swallow or a Swift?
September 25, 2018 — Telling the two apart can be tough, but some clues lie in how they fly and where they sleep.
ID Tips
Is That Golden Eagle Actually a Bald Eagle?
July 03, 2018 — In its youth, our national symbol sports brown feathers on its head—making it easily confused with its rarer, golden cousin.
ID Tips
Why You Should Start Searching for Rusty Blackbirds
February 16, 2018 — Aside from helping to boost your blackbird appreciation, spotting this declining species can also aid in conservation efforts.
ID Tips
How to Tell Vireos From Warblers, Flycatchers, and Kinglets
June 28, 2017 — Before you start identifying vireos, you need to stop confusing them with other similar families of songbirds.
ID Tips
How to Recognize Six Warblers in Their Fall Feathers
October 07, 2016 — Study the finer details of migrating warblers with our handy photo guide.
ID Tips
Five Ways to Troubleshoot Your Birding Problems
July 08, 2016 — When your bird guide isn't getting it done, try these hacks and alternatives to make a better ID.
ID Tips
How to Identify Birds
April 21, 2016 — Before you judge a bird by its color, use these eight clues to guide you.
ID Tips
A Beginner’s Guide to IDing Cooper’s and Sharp-Shinned Hawks
September 18, 2015 — The differences are subtle, but shape and size can help in a big way.
ID Tips
How to Tell a Hairy Woodpecker From a Downy Woodpecker
February 13, 2015 — Size and tail color are two of the biggest clues when deciphering these two backyard regulars.
Look out for these amazing visitors in your flyway, and find more in our online bird guide.
Pacific Flyway
Violet-green Swallow
Latin:
Tachycineta thalassina
Western Tanager
Latin:
Piranga ludoviciana
Swainson's Hawk
Latin:
Buteo swainsoni
Cinnamon Teal
Latin:
Spatula cyanoptera
Central Flyway
Calliope Hummingbird
Latin:
Selasphorus calliope
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Latin:
Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus
American Avocet
Latin:
Recurvirostra americana
Mississippi Kite
Latin:
Ictinia mississippiensis
Mississippi Flyway
Black-billed Cuckoo
Latin:
Coccyzus erythropthalmus
Common Gallinule
Latin:
Gallinula galeata
Magnolia Warbler
Latin:
Setophaga magnolia
Peregrine Falcon
Latin:
Falco peregrinus
Atlantic Flyway
Blue Grosbeak
Latin:
Passerina caerulea
Osprey
Latin:
Pandion haliaetus
Green Heron
Latin:
Butorides virescens
Dunlin
Latin:
Calidris alpina
