Good bird watching sites (or book)?

[ZEEEW]

Hello all



Now that the prime bird killing cat is gone (hit by car) we are getting some cool looking birds in our yard. Are there any good websites that let you punch in the chest/head colors and bring up the closest matches, so we dont have to look at a bunch of pics to see what we have? We have no idea what type of birds we are looking for/at.

I also think that the birds come around more because they figure that if the ducks are safe, they will be safe too. Plus the duck feed on the ground.



Thanks all



Eric

 

[QRTRHRS]

Eric, I always liked artist renderings rather than pictures. A rendering is a composite consisting of the most likely characteristics that are consistant. A photo is a moment in time of a particular bird. Bird feathers vary per season and often as not with sex. Spring time being the prime breeding season in North America, the males will be brilliantly colored for the most part. Some birds or even groups of birds such as sparrows are "little brown birds" perpetually.



I consider the Peterson guides to be the old standby. I don't spend much time looking at birds these days other than what shows up on my farm so I don't know what books are out. There is always something new on the market.



To give you a tip though, when you see a bird, focus on the head first. That is where most of the id will be for a back yard bird. Then size the bird up against a common bird you know because you see it all the time. If you really get into it, you will know what to expect by your geograpic area and the time of year. Also, note the feeding habit. Birds tend to prefer feeding on the ground, in a bush, from a hanging feeder or one mounted off the ground.



You should be able to find info on how to attract birds to your yard by planting trees and bushes or setting up feeding stations. You need to know what birds frequent your area though. As far as websites, I have not been looking so can't help there. A search should bring more than you want.