Bird Watching for Beginners
Everything you need to start enjoying the birds around you.
All guides
Every guide on the site, organized by topic.
Getting Started
Essential Bird Watching Gear
The few tools that make bird watching easier.
How to Choose Binoculars for Bird Watching
Find the right binoculars for your budget and eyes.
Bird Identification Basics
Learn to identify birds by size, shape, and color.
The Best Bird Watching Apps
Use your phone to identify and track birds.
How to Keep a Bird Journal
Record your sightings and enjoy them for years.
Attracting Birds
Bird Feeding Basics
How to attract more birds with the right feeders and food.
How to Choose a Bird Feeder
Match the feeder to the birds you want to attract.
Bird Food Types Explained
Which seed and food each bird prefers.
Bird Bath Basics
Give birds clean water and watch them come.
Birdhouses: A Beginner's Guide
Set up a safe, welcoming nesting box.
How to Make a Bird-Friendly Garden
Plant for birds and create a backyard habitat.
Common Birds
How to Identify Cardinals
Spot the bright red bird everyone loves to see.
How to Identify Blue Jays
Recognize the bold blue bird of the backyard.
How to Identify Robins
The familiar red-breasted bird, explained.
How to Identify Hummingbirds
Attract and recognize these tiny wonders.
How to Identify Woodpeckers
Know the drummers of the bird world.
How to Identify Finches
Spot goldfinches, house finches, and more.
Bird Behavior
Bird Migration Explained
Why birds migrate, and how to see them on the move.
Bird Songs and Calls Explained
Learn to identify birds by ear.
Why Do Birds Migrate?
The reasons behind the great seasonal journeys.
Bird Nesting Basics
How birds build nests and raise their young.
How Birds Survive Winter
Help birds through the cold months.
Seasonal & Care
Birds in Spring: What to Watch For
The season of nesting, singing, and new arrivals.
Birds in Summer: What to Watch For
Keep birds comfortable through the heat.
Birds in Fall: What to Watch For
Migration, flocking, and feeding for winter.
How to Squirrel-Proof Your Bird Feeder
Keep squirrels from stealing all the seed.
How to Clean Bird Feeders and Baths
Keep your feeders healthy for the birds.