If you are just starting out with Birdwatching, there is no better place than your own back yard or neighborhood park. How do you document the birds you see for your lifelist? At first it may seem that many of those birds look the same. Here are some tips for things to look for when identifying birds.

Color and Markings - What is the predominate color on bird? In addition, what are the markings on the bird? Do the wings and feathers have a particular pattern?

Beak - What shape is the beak? Is it curved downward or it is cone-shaped? What color is the beak?

Wings - Are the wings wide or narrow? Are the short or relatively long?

On the Ground - How the bird walk when on the ground (yes birds also walk). Does it strut gracefully or clumsily? Does it hop from place to place or make short quick movements?

In Flight - What are the characteristics of the bird in flight? How does it hold its wings? Does it fly in a relatively straight lines or does its flight path go up and down quickly?

The best option of course, is to have a quiet camera with a powerful zoom lens. If that is not feasible, you will want to note as many qualities of the bird as possible in your notebook. If you have drawing skills, it will also help to sketch out the bird. Your sketch doesn't have to be elaborate - just enough to identify the important features.

Over time, you will be able to quickly discern differences between many varieties of birds and will quickly know when you see a previously unseen type of bird.