What is your skill level?

Guidelines for Bird Identification Skill Levels

Beginner

  • Knows almost nothing about birds, but is eager to learn.
  • Still learning bird families, such as warbler vs. thrush vs. sparrow, etc.
  • Still learning to identify individual common species.
  • New to using binoculars.

Intermediate

  • Knows basic characteristics of most local bird families.
  • Uses field marks as identifying qualities.
  • Observes behavior.
  • Recognizes some distinct habitats.
  • Recognizes some songs of resident birds.

Advanced Intermediate

  • Uses behavior and habitat in conjunction with distinguishing field marks to identify most species.
  • Recognizes primary songs of most residents, as well as songs of many migrant species.
  • Has a basic understanding of many species’ migration patterns.