Great Gray Owl. Joel Sartore / National Geographic Photo Ark

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.
ID Tips

Learn to Tell a Northern Shrike From a Loggerhead Shrike

These are the best clues to help you know which ‘butcherbird’ is which.
Podcast

How to Tell a Carolina From a Black-Capped Chickadee

Hint: Their voices give them away.
ID Tips

The Biggest Differences Between Song and Savannah Sparrows

A close look at these two doppelgängers shows some key contrasts in markings and song.

Quizzes

Quiz

Quiz: Identify Raptors in Flight

Test and hone your ID skills with this raptor puzzle.
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.
Quiz

Do You Know Where the Birds Go?

Take this quiz to test your migratory knowledge.

All ID Stories

ID Tips

How to Tell a Raven From a Crow

By BirdNote
October 22, 2012 — These black birds may belong to the same family and look similar in some ways, but several distinctive traits help set them apart.

Look out for these amazing visitors in your flyway, and find more in our online bird guide.

Pacific Flyway

Central Flyway

Mississippi Flyway

Atlantic Flyway

Osprey

Latin:  Pandion haliaetus

Dunlin

Latin:  Calidris alpina