{"id":2721,"date":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/birdhousesupply.com\/?p=2721"},"modified":"2017-05-19T19:37:02","modified_gmt":"2017-05-19T19:37:02","slug":"identify-birds-in-your-yard-in-3-steps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/birdhousesupply.com\/blog\/identify-birds-in-your-yard-in-3-steps\/","title":{"rendered":"Identify Birds in Your Yard in 3 Steps"},"content":{"rendered":"

We talk often about attracting birds to your yard.\u00a0Hummingbirds<\/span><\/a> and bluebirds, for example, are enjoyed by most bird watchers and are always a hot topic. What is less well known, is that the easiest way to begin a bird garden is simply to start with the birds already in your yard.<\/p>\n

Why focus on existing bird populations<\/h2>\n

\"\"When birds are finding their way into your yard with no existing\u00a0bird feeders<\/span><\/a> or purposeful landscaping, you already know you have plants they love and thus, the work to get started becomes much smaller. With a few small additions you can increase the population of some birds and encourage longer and more vibrant occupation by others.<\/p>\n

Not to mention, it can be discouraging to spend money and time trying to attract an Oriole or\u00a0Bluebird<\/span><\/a> with little success. It can take as much as two seasons to attract these birds to your yard, why not enjoy the birds who already spend time there in the meantime?<\/p>\n

3 Steps to identifying yard birds<\/h2>\n

Step One: Size and Shape<\/h3>\n

Birds can be broken into general categories by learning to recognize what general size and shape a species falls into. When first bird watching, it\u2019s easy to become distracted by colors and feathers, but most bird species come in a variety of different colors–think finches in a rainbow of red, yellow, blue and more. Just remember that, no matter what the color, a finch is always almost the same size and shape. Once you learn to identify species by these factors, you\u2019ll have an easier time narrowing down from there.<\/p>\n

Step Two: Be aware of patterns<\/h3>\n

Cavity nesting birds, most likely to use a birdhouse, come in a variety of different sizes, shapes and colors. Although each is different, general color patterns are there if you pay attention. Birds fall into patterns based on:<\/p>\n