Howard County Bird Club
A Chapter of the Maryland Ornithological Society
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.