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Bird-watching or birding as it is commonly called is one hobby that can be done by anyone regardless of any prerequisites. 

All it requires is a good set of eyes and the ability to connect.

Here’s are a few tips for the new comers…

Step-1

Getting Ready

For beginners the best book to begin with is Salim Ali’s Book of Indian Birds which contains coloured photographic description of most of the birds in India.For slightly experienced birders Krys Kazmierczack or Grimmett are fine.

A good pair of binoculars and not too bright clothes(avoid reds) are all you need to have a great birding day.

Step-2

The best birding time is early morning. After that its evening. These two are the good times to go for a walk in your colony.

Look for birds around you. As soon as you spot one that seems new/unfamiliar, focus your binocs on it.

Step-3

Try to become an expert on the birds in your locality. Maintain a journal/diary in which you note down the birds you have seen. These ones don’t even require binocs and provide ample time for you to view them and gain idea about their size.Go for walks in your colony with your family and make it a family activity to spot birds. Believe me kids learn fast.

For example you will definitely see Indian Mynah,Pied Mynah,Black Headed Starlings,Purple Sunbirds,House Sparrows, House Crows,Robins,tree pies,spotted owlets etc in any green belt near you.

Once you attain a mastery in these, then you can move on to slightly rare birds which offer less viewing time.

Step-4

Keep going through your bird book and try to look at pictures and names of different birds.This will help you when you are in the field, trying to identify a particular species.

When you are in the field, silence should be your companion. When you locate a bird, if you speak loudly it will be scared enough to disappear for the next two three hours and unless you are lucky, you won’t be able to spot it again.

On spotting a bird, try to compare its size with birds you have seen already in your locality, like mynah, bulbul, crow, sparrow etc. This is one major advantage in Salim Ali’s book where sizes are given like Myna+ meaning the bird is slightly bigger than the Common Indian Mynah which is a major help to beginners.

Observe its colors, patterns if any on wings. Color of legs and eyes help a lot too .So try to note them too.As soon as the bird is gone note down your observations and then start looking in your book for the bird that matches the one you found.

Step-5

If you can’t seem to identify it, or seem confused between two/three species don’t be frustrated. Join a good birding group.(For example delhibird,oriental birds, kolkata birds are some of the very good birding networks in India which contain excellent top quality birders.) Post you query over there and presto! u’ll get a quick reply within a few hours(generally).

Step-6

When you feel that you have succesfully spotted a bird make a column in you diary/journal noting down all the features of the bird you saw.The tree it was sitting on, Sounds it was making etc,etc..

These are just the basics, You will  improvise and improve with practice.

Happy Birding!!!!