Discover the joy of watching birds.
Learn how to identify birds, find them in your backyard, choose the right gear, and make bird watching a hobby you'll love.
Featured Bird
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
New to birding?
Start with what interests you.
You don't need expensive equipment or years of experience. Pick a path and we'll help you get started.
Meet the birds
Common birds to know
Start by getting familiar with some of the birds you're most likely to see.
Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis
The Northern Cardinal is one of the most recognizable backyard birds in North America. Males are famous for their brilliant red plumage, while females have a warm reddish-brown appearance.
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
The American Robin is one of North America's most familiar birds. Its orange-red breast and habit of searching lawns for worms make it especially easy for beginners to recognize.
Blue Jay
Cyanocitta cristata
The Blue Jay is a bold, intelligent, and highly recognizable bird with vivid blue coloring, a prominent crest, and a loud call.
House Finch
Haemorhous mexicanus
House Finches are common backyard birds that frequently visit feeders. Males are recognizable by their rosy-red heads and breasts.
Can't figure it out?
What bird did you see?
Tell us what you noticed and we'll help you narrow down the possibilities. Start with a photo or a few simple details.
Identify a Bird →Upload a photo
Where did you see it?
What color was it?
What size was it?
Explore locally
Birding by state
Find out which birds you can expect to see in your part of the country.
From the blog
Learn something new
Practical birding guides, identification tips, gear advice, and answers to your bird questions.
Getting Started
How to Start Bird Watching
Everything you need to know to start enjoying bird watching, even if you've never picked up a pair of binoculars.
Gear
Best Binoculars for Beginner Bird Watchers
You don't need expensive gear to get started. Here's what to look for when choosing your first pair of binoculars.
Backyard Birding
How to Attract Birds to Your Backyard
Simple ways to turn your backyard into a welcoming place for birds throughout the year.
Bird Identification
How to Identify Birds
Learn the simple clues bird watchers use to identify birds by appearance, behavior, habitat, and sound.
The Weekly Bird
One bird. One tip. Every week.
Get a quick birding lesson delivered to your inbox. No complicated science. Just interesting birds and useful tips.
Free to join. Unsubscribe anytime.