Size and Shape

• The overall shape of the bird narrows down the possibilities.
  
  The basic bird identification traits are shape, size and color. Looking at overall dimensions helps to get a quick idea of the bird group, like the long frame of the stork vs. the squat tiny chickadee. Birders can also use the shapes of birds in flight to winnow possibilities.
  
  A basic bird composition is made up of the head, beak, body, wings, tail, legs and feet. These play a large part in identifying the bird by sight. You only have to compare the thick hooked beak of a red-tailed hawk to the long thin curved bill of an American Avocet to see the differences.
  
  

Color

• A Barrow's Goldeneye has white tips on its wings and crescent-shaped white patches under its eyes.
  
  Instead of just looking at color, birders focus on the patterns. This is especially helpful when observing species with similar colors; for example, the male Barrow's Goldeneye has a purple sheen to its black head, a crescent white patch under its eyes and white tips to its wing feathers. The male Common Goldeneye is similar in color, except it has a green sheen to its head, a circular white patch under its eyes, and its white chest extends to the wings.
  
  

Sound

• Birds use sound for mating, signaling danger or other necessary communication. The sounds they make are especially helpful in poor light conditions. A good example would be looking for nocturnal birds such as nightjars. A beginner can start by learning from an experienced birder, observing birds while they make their sounds and accessing sound libraries on the Internet.
  
  

Habitat

• A Wood Thrush forages forest floors for worms and insects.
  
  Other clues such as habitats and behavior rely on viewing the moving bird. Habitats range from forest floors to marshes. Some birds are migratory and can be seen only in certain seasons. All this information helps narrow the choices.
  
  

Behavior

• Behavior is another way of identifying a bird; for example, there are some birds that have specific tics. A house wren is known for flicking its tail and hopping about. Other details, such as the mating rituals, seasonal changes, nesting and social interactions, can distinguish one bird from another.
  
  

How to start

• A good place to improve your bird-watching skills is to learn the composition of a bird. Study an illustrated guide. Apply the knowledge you gain out in the field.
  
  Use this to compare unfamiliar birds. Gauge the overall size and shape. Take a notebook to draw quick illustrations of unknown birds to research later. Keep a record of the type of bird, the time and the place. As you become more experienced, you will develop your own personal methods to locate birds.