Identify birds and understand their behavior

Outdoors & NatureBeginnerOutdoor

90 minutes

5 steps

·Beginner

After 90 min: You'll recognize local birds and appreciate their ecological roles and behaviors.

What you need

BinocularsField guide for regionNotebookCamera (optional)Patience

The 90-Minute Plan

Get quality binoculars0–15 min

Don't cheap out. 8x42 or 10x42 are standard. Good optics transform the experience.

Learn identification features15–35 min

Size, shape, coloring, field marks, behavior. Use process of elimination: habitat, season, behavior.

Listen for bird calls35–55 min

Audio apps (Merlin) help. Many birds are heard before seen. Learning calls expands sightings.

Practice ethical observation55–75 min

Maintain distance. Don't use playback calls excessively (stresses birds). Never approach nests.

Keep a journal or app75–90 min

Track sightings. Over time, patterns emerge. Contributing to eBird helps science.

Pro Tip

Best birdwatching is early morning or dusk when birds are most active.

90 min·5 steps

After 90 min: Ability to identify 20 common local birds by sight and sound

6,420

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After 90 min: You'll start fires in wet conditions and maintain them for warmth and cooking.

7,800

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After 90 min: You'll recognize major constellations and understand celestial mechanics.

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