Birding for kids

Birding for Children

Children have a natural curiosity that makes bird watching an excellent year-round activity.
Not only will your child learn about the birds, their songs, their activities, their life cycle,
but bird watching can provide a natural platform for learning about the environment & interdependence.

Discover how birds are important in your everyday life, by feeding off pesky insects,
pollinating flowers & crops, providing food for other animals & more.
See what you can learn!

Here are a few things that can make it a fun, learning experience for both you and your child.

What does Birding mean?

The Wikipedia definition is : "Birding or birdwatching is a hobby concerned with the observation and study of birds (the study proper is termed ornithology). The term "birding" is of American origin; "birdwatching" is (or more correctly, was) the commonly used word in the United Kingdom and Ireland and by non-birders in the United States. Since visual observation is routinely complemented with auditory observation, the term "birding" is more accurate, and is growing in usage, particularly among devotees of the hobby."
Birding is the action of watching, feeding, listening and enjoying wild birds in their natural habitats.

What do you need?

One recommended item is a bird reference book or software.

This adds to the experience by making it easy to identify the birds by sight or sound.

It is always good to have a simple pair of binoculars for a closer look at the birds, their activities & nests.

You may also want a bird watching log book to keep track of your discoveries.

Where do you go?

You don't have to go far!
Having a bird feeder, bird house, feeding skewers or bird bath
in your backyard is an excellent way to encourage birds to visit you.

Build your own or order one

City or state parks are other places you might find some interesting birds.
Look up local national parks here.

What do you do?
Now that you know what birding is, have your materials collected and found a place to go, start observing!
Tips:
Locate the bird with your eye first, then use the binoculars
Look for identifying features such as color, size, & shape
Note the habitat you find the bird in (pine forest vs. ocean side)
Watch for distinctive behavior (such as repeated pecking at an old tree)
Listen for bird songs
Take notes on your observations (or have someone take notes for you)
Check the field guide
Have fun!

Other Bird Resources
American Birding Association
eBird
National Audubon Society
Bird Songs
Great Backyard Bird Count
Project Feeder Watch