Download the Bird Field Guide
Text Alternative for the Birding Guide Our Role The core mission of the National Park Service is to protect and preserve natural resources, processes, systems, and values of the parks they manage. Our philosophy is protect, and restore when necessary, native ecosystems and let natural processes play out. Park Rangers and Volunteers document their observations of flora and fauna. Scientists conduct research to try to understand the status and trends of the species and systems they protect. This information is vital to advising park management and philosophy. Each person can play a role in helping our feathered friends. As you learn more about birding you will find that your actions play a direct part in the welfare of the birds that you see. Remember that birds, while raising their young, want to be left alone. The more silent you are as you move about the more birds you will see. Sometimes the best way to spot birds is to just sit, wait, and listen. You just might be surprised by how many you see when you do this. 
Audubon.org Birding BasicsBeaks/Bills: What is the shape of the bill? Is it thin or thick? Long or short? Flat or hooked?
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Audubon.org 
Audubon.org
Field Marks: Most birds have distinct markings that are different from all others. Does the face have an eye-ring or an eye-brow stripe? Does it have a spot on the throat or the back of the head? Are there any wing bars or a different color on its tail? Do certain marks only become obvious when it is in flight? Behavior: Take a moment to notice how the bird is acting. Is it alone or in a group? Is it stalking, standing still, or flitting about? Is it on the ground or perched high up somewhere? Some birds are easily recognized by their actions alone. Voice/Calls: Does the bird have a distinct call or make a particular sound? Does it have more than one call? 
Audubon.org L 28-34” WS 39-52” Straight hook tipped bill, long neck, slender body, 4 webbed toes, mostly blackish, seen spreading wings to dry, dive, and swim for fish. 
Audubon.org L 24” WS 41” Long black bill, long neck, long legs, yellow feet, white body, seen foraging alone for small fish. 
Audubon.org L 7.5” WS 15” Thin long bill, roundish stocky body, medium-long leg, brownish-gray, seen running and bobbing on mud flats, forage on small invertebrates. 
Audubon.org L 25” WS 58” Heavy thick-tipped slightly drooping bill, large stocky body, round head, dark back (adults), seen in open coastal habitat, feed on shellfish and fish. 
Audubon.org L 46” WS 72” Long straight bill, long neck, large body, long legs, grey plumage, seen wading alone in shallow water, feed mostly on fish. 
Audubon.org L 51” WS 79” Large pouched bill, long neck, large body, webbed feet, grey-brown or silvery, seen flying silently in lines or plunge-diving for fish. 
Audubon.org L 4” WS 5.25” Long thin bill, tiny body, small wings, broad tail, green-gray above, darker gray-green below, M: red throat and crown, F: can have red spotting on throat. Species seen feeding on nectar, wings make whirring sound. 
Audubon.org L 4.5” WS 6” Stubby bill, rounded wing, tiny round body, long tail, gray-brown, seen in swarming flock on bushes and trees eating aphids and tiny insects. 
Audubon.org L 10” WS 14” Short conical bill, medium stocky body, rounded wings, dark brown-gray color, cinnamon under tail, seen alone in the open and brush feeding on seeds, fruit, and insects. 
Audubon.org L 9” WS 11.5” Black bill, light eye, medium slender songbird with long tail, adult grayish above and whitish below with two white wingbars. Very vocal. 
Audubon.org L 8.5” WS 10.5” Small, stocky, thin bill, short tail; M: shiny blue above with reddish-brown below, F: mostly gray-buff with hints of blue on wings, tail, and sometimes head. 
Audubon.org L 7” WS 13.5” Short conical bill, medium stocky body, round wings, black outer body, red eye, white spots on wing and tail, seen alone in undergrowth feeding on seeds. 
Audubon.org L 7” WS 11” Large, grayish, orange-billed sparrow with long tail and peaked crest on head. Adults: black and white stripes on head; Juveniles: brown and gray stripes on head. 
Audubon.org L 6.75” WS 9” Short broad flattened bill, slight crest on head, rounded wings, long tail, blackish except for white belly, seen flying from low perch catching flying insects. 
Audubon.org L 5.5” WS 9.25” Stout dark bill, rounded wing, oval body, short tail, gray-brown with bright yellow-spot on rump usually seen when flying away, see in small perched flocks, quick flight. 
Audubon.org L 6” WS 9.5” Short stubby arched bill, round head, short tipped wings, longish square tail, brownish-gray with streaks, M: has orange-red forehead and chest, seen in small flocks. 
Audubon.org L 11.5” WS 15.5” Thick billed, crestless head, sturdy body, broad round wings, long tail, dark to light gray underside, blue above, seen flying tree to tree, feeds on seeds, nuts, fruits, and insects. 
Audubon.org L 12” WS 12.5” Long curved bill, slightly rounded body, rounded wings, long tail, buff color belly and undertail, dark eye-line, seen foraging (thrashing) on ground for inverts. 
Audubon.org L 12” WS 18” Short bill, small head, slender body, narrow pointed wings, long pointed tail, brown-gray with spots on wings, seen resting on wires or foraging on ground for seeds. Call is a sad hoot boo-hoo-hoo. 
Audubon.org L 17.5” WS 39” Large straight bill, broad wings, short slightly rounded tail, black, seen flapping wings, extremely diverse diet, clear caw call. 
Audubon.org L 24” WS 53” Long slightly hooked bill, shaggy throat, long narrow wings, wedge-shaped tail, black, seen soaring, diverse diet, raspy voice. 
Audubon.org L 16” WS 41” Short hooked bill, stocky broad body, very pointed wings, shortish tail, sharp talons, dark “mustache”, yellow eye and nose stripe, eats small and medium birds. 
Audubon.org L 19” WS 49” Short hooked bill, stocky broad body, rounded wings, A: red on tail top, sharp talons, black edge on underside of wing, seen hunting small mammals from perch. 
Audubon.org L 23” WS 63” Short hooked bill, stocky body, long crooked wings, striped tail, sharp talons, dark eye stripe and white hood, seen perched on poles, dives into water for fish. |
Last updated: September 6, 2022