New To Birding?

Welcome to our flock! A growing number of Canadians of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds are curious about getting into birding. Here’s how you can unleash your inner birder and connect with the natural world!

Find Birds: Look for movement and listen for sounds whenever you are outside. Once you see a bird, lock your eyes onto it and raise your binoculars to align them with your view.

Use Binoculars: Adjust the barrels so they line up with your eyes. If you wear glasses, twist or fold the eyecups down to get a larger field of view. Find something to focus on and reduce blur using the central focus wheel. If purchasing, buy the best pair you can afford. Look for magnification or field of view combinations of 8×40 or 7×30.

Identify Birds: This takes practice. Note the bird’s size, shape, colour, behaviour, sounds, and habitat. Pay attention to field marks such as bill size and shape and patterns of stripes on the body and wings. Consult a field guide, app, or an experienced birder to complete the identification.

Choose a Field Guide. Try field guides from your local library before deciding which one to purchase–start with one focused on your region. We also recommend using the Merlin Bird ID App or eBird Canada.

Flock Together: Birding can be more fun with others. Connect with your local naturalist or birding club. Consider joining us for fun events near you. Contribute to eBird Canada online at ebird.ca or on the free eBird App.

Where to Bird: You’re likely to discover birds in any natural space, but you can find the best birding spots for your particular region, and see what species to expect throughout the year, at ebird.ca/explore. You might also want to check out our Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas!