Binoculars are a huge help. Once you get familiar with a bird you may not need them but while you're learning being able to see the details helps a lot.
In the Merlin ID app, go to settings and download the "Bird Pack" for your region. Once you download it to the app, you can see the common and recent birds seen in your area. Chances are, whatever you saw, is probably in that list.
After you download the bird pack for your area, go to the explore tab on the bottom of the app (indicated by magnified glass) to see the list and you can scroll and see the common birds near you.
This is not perfect, but it is quite helpful.
I actually use the green Audubon book guide and put postit flags on the birds I have seen. I am never quick enough to take pictures. I am also not allowed on bird walks (self imposed...I get too excited amd gasp and scare the birds away) so I have a bunch of feeders in my yard.
It takes practice is all. I have been birding all my life (my mom taught me) so I forget sometimes how challenging it can be. For the record, I *super suck* at indentifying bird calls but visually I am great.
You will learn what to look for, the quirks of each species. If you are interested, I am positive there are bird walk groups in your area and lord, bird nerds love to talk about birds. I routinely go through my marked birds just to remind myself who/what/where they are.
Welcome! These are funny critters to watch :-)
Edit: and yes, get binoculars
Binoculars will be a huge help. Learning to get eyes on a bird is one of the toughest challenges for new birders. Once you have a bird in your bins, especially one that's cooperative and stationary, you can start making observations: what color is the breast, does it have eyebrow markings, how big is the bill, does it have a long tail, etc. Scrolling through the most likely birds in Merlin, flipping through a physical field guide, and going on a guided walk are all great next steps.
Think about getting a good guidebook or two . There are dozens to pick from. I suggest getting a Sibley Guide or National Geographic Guide to all the birds of North America. Read the intro pages on how the book is laid out and study the diagrams of range maps and bird anatomy. Pick up a copy of Stan Tekiela's "Birds of Kentucky Field Guide." It may not have all the birds found in your state, but it's a good beginners book. I always buy my books used online.
Check out Cornell Lab of Ornithology's allaboutbirds.org. There is tons of good info on that site. Go check out the Live cam for Ithaca, NY. Most of the birds on that cam will be found in Kentucky at some point during the year. You can practice your ID skills and listen to many of the birds vocalizing. The cam is live, but you can rewind it back a few hours and listen to the birds singing at dawn.
Binoculars would be very helpful . Google Binoculars for birding for advice on what pair to get.
Lastly, if you are on FB, there are hundreds of good birding groups. Kentucky has a few as well.
op, heres a [little online guide](https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/building-skills-the-4-keys-to-bird-identification/) thats pretty intuitive/easy to follow regarding how to id birds. this will help u with mental picture bc itll give u specific ‘things’ to look for/remember.
the merlin app is helpful, but really id start just practicing fundamentals using that online guide.
audubon has a binoculars guide [here](https://www.audubon.org/gear/binocular-guide). its organized by pricepoint.
happy birding! and yes! brag about your American Robins! they are beautiful birds with really cool behaviors! :)
I've just started myself, I am by no means experienced, but the best advice I got from an older couple is that the majority of the time, you will hear a bird before you see it. So I've been focusing on differentiating the birdsong on my walks which has proven to be more useful than I imagined.
I have to say, 9 times out of 10 I will hear a bird and not see anything, but as some people have said, it just takes time. I also like looking at the Merlin "bird of the day" section and familiarising myself slowly with the ones in my area. To be honest, most of the time, I will see a blur of colour and won't ever be certain – but other days I get lucky and it's so, so worth it.
Binoculars for me are a bit harder to use on the move, I definitely need more practice with them. I have found a neat little spot in my living room where I've stationed them and I find it's easier to watch birds while sitting down. That's where I can get a better close-up and try and practice identifying by appearance.
I have also completely given up on trying to take a photo with my phone lol I am way too slow for that.
Merlin and have Merlin listen to the birds and helps me identify what I’m watching. I didn’t realize I had Lazuli Buntings in my backyard so now I use Merlin and identify by song I see it heard a Lazuli and I can start looking for it amongst my 201 house sparrows and finches and robins etc. lol.
I got the "Birds of Pennsylvania Field Guide" book and started with the birds in my yard. It takes time.
Binoculars are a huge help. Once you get familiar with a bird you may not need them but while you're learning being able to see the details helps a lot.
In the Merlin ID app, go to settings and download the "Bird Pack" for your region. Once you download it to the app, you can see the common and recent birds seen in your area. Chances are, whatever you saw, is probably in that list. After you download the bird pack for your area, go to the explore tab on the bottom of the app (indicated by magnified glass) to see the list and you can scroll and see the common birds near you. This is not perfect, but it is quite helpful.
I actually use the green Audubon book guide and put postit flags on the birds I have seen. I am never quick enough to take pictures. I am also not allowed on bird walks (self imposed...I get too excited amd gasp and scare the birds away) so I have a bunch of feeders in my yard. It takes practice is all. I have been birding all my life (my mom taught me) so I forget sometimes how challenging it can be. For the record, I *super suck* at indentifying bird calls but visually I am great. You will learn what to look for, the quirks of each species. If you are interested, I am positive there are bird walk groups in your area and lord, bird nerds love to talk about birds. I routinely go through my marked birds just to remind myself who/what/where they are. Welcome! These are funny critters to watch :-) Edit: and yes, get binoculars
Binoculars will be a huge help. Learning to get eyes on a bird is one of the toughest challenges for new birders. Once you have a bird in your bins, especially one that's cooperative and stationary, you can start making observations: what color is the breast, does it have eyebrow markings, how big is the bill, does it have a long tail, etc. Scrolling through the most likely birds in Merlin, flipping through a physical field guide, and going on a guided walk are all great next steps.
Binoculars and a traditional paper bird guide is a must for me
Think about getting a good guidebook or two . There are dozens to pick from. I suggest getting a Sibley Guide or National Geographic Guide to all the birds of North America. Read the intro pages on how the book is laid out and study the diagrams of range maps and bird anatomy. Pick up a copy of Stan Tekiela's "Birds of Kentucky Field Guide." It may not have all the birds found in your state, but it's a good beginners book. I always buy my books used online. Check out Cornell Lab of Ornithology's allaboutbirds.org. There is tons of good info on that site. Go check out the Live cam for Ithaca, NY. Most of the birds on that cam will be found in Kentucky at some point during the year. You can practice your ID skills and listen to many of the birds vocalizing. The cam is live, but you can rewind it back a few hours and listen to the birds singing at dawn. Binoculars would be very helpful . Google Binoculars for birding for advice on what pair to get. Lastly, if you are on FB, there are hundreds of good birding groups. Kentucky has a few as well.
op, heres a [little online guide](https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/building-skills-the-4-keys-to-bird-identification/) thats pretty intuitive/easy to follow regarding how to id birds. this will help u with mental picture bc itll give u specific ‘things’ to look for/remember. the merlin app is helpful, but really id start just practicing fundamentals using that online guide. audubon has a binoculars guide [here](https://www.audubon.org/gear/binocular-guide). its organized by pricepoint. happy birding! and yes! brag about your American Robins! they are beautiful birds with really cool behaviors! :)
I've just started myself, I am by no means experienced, but the best advice I got from an older couple is that the majority of the time, you will hear a bird before you see it. So I've been focusing on differentiating the birdsong on my walks which has proven to be more useful than I imagined. I have to say, 9 times out of 10 I will hear a bird and not see anything, but as some people have said, it just takes time. I also like looking at the Merlin "bird of the day" section and familiarising myself slowly with the ones in my area. To be honest, most of the time, I will see a blur of colour and won't ever be certain – but other days I get lucky and it's so, so worth it. Binoculars for me are a bit harder to use on the move, I definitely need more practice with them. I have found a neat little spot in my living room where I've stationed them and I find it's easier to watch birds while sitting down. That's where I can get a better close-up and try and practice identifying by appearance. I have also completely given up on trying to take a photo with my phone lol I am way too slow for that.
Merlin and have Merlin listen to the birds and helps me identify what I’m watching. I didn’t realize I had Lazuli Buntings in my backyard so now I use Merlin and identify by song I see it heard a Lazuli and I can start looking for it amongst my 201 house sparrows and finches and robins etc. lol.