Bird Watching for Kids 

Do you love birds? Have you ever been on a nature walk with your kids or grandkids observing and watching birds?

There is something special about birds—their striking colors, amazing flying abilities, and melodious singing voices—that make them incredibly unique.

Author and naturalist, Julie Zickefosse said, “The presence of a single bird can change everything for one who appreciates them.” (“Saving Jemima: Life and Love With a Hard-Luck Jay.”)

I agree. I appreciate birds and to encourage my grandkids’ interest in and appreciation for birds, we’ve taken them “birding,” and engaged in bird watching activities and games. It’s paying off…

Before I share our bird watching activities for kids and grandkids, here is a yearly bird activity to mark on your calendar; a wonderful website for more ideas and activities on bird watching for kids and a book filled with fabulous bird information

The Great Backyard Bird Count

This event happens every February all over the world and can be done in your own backyard! Spend about 15 minutes with your kids/grandkids in your backyard each day watching for birds. Mark down how many birds you see; any details about the bird’s behavior; the type of bird, or even draw a picture. Submit your findings online to the Great Backyard Bird Count.

Audubon Society for Kids

A great site that is filled with information about birds. Click here to learn more

Nature Anatomy by Julia Rothman

If you and your kids/grandkids are nature lovers—I highly recommend this book. There is an in-depth chapter on birds and includes detailed pictures and topics on birds such as:

• Anatomy of a Bird

• A Bevy of Birds—pictures and information on 24 birds

• Kinds of Bird Feathers

• Birdcalls

• A Variety of Bird Nests

• Different Kinds of Bird Eggs

• Bird Behavior

• Birds of Prey

• A Variety of Beaks

Now, get ready for some amazing activities, games, books, and DVDs all about birds and bird watching for kids and grandkids!

Bird Family Passions

Every family is passionate about something. In our family and extended family, we are passionate about:

• Art

• Literature

• Music

• Lifelong learning

• Nature

• And too many more things to list…

We combined our passions with our love of birds and made a bird family of 5—each representing one of our passions.

What are your family’s passions? Write down 5 things you are passionate about and want to pass down to future generations and use birds to illustrate each passion.

We gathered pictures and text from children’s books; music paper, symbols of nature and learning, and some of our grandkids’ art drawings.

We snipped and cut everything and then designated one bird for each passion and glued on the symbols related to that passion.

The end result—our colorful “Bird Family Passions!”

Supplies

• Free bird template

• Illustrations that represent the passions that your family has. Ours included pictures from books, music paper, nature (flowers, trees, birds, etc.), and even stickers symbolizing learning

• Posterboard

• Cardstock in 5 different colors

Directions

• Download the free bird template and print off 5 birds in different colors of cardstock—5 birds for each child

• Take the symbols representing your family’s passions and designate one bird per passion and fill it with the symbols that represent that passion

• The bird that represented “art,” the kids took some of their artwork; traced the bird on the artwork, and cut it out. They were very colorful and a great way to recycle (see below)

• Mount your 5 birds on a poster board

Recycled Art Birds

Have you ever wondered what to do with all your kids/grandkids’ art projects that have been hanging on the wall for years? Don’t throw them away! Recycle them into another project.

For these recycled art birds—the grandkids took their art projects and cut them up into various shapes and sizes. Included were their bubble wrap paintings; spin-art paintings; shaving cream paintings, newsprint drawings, and random scribbles.

From these bits and pieces, they created very colorful birds while giving another life to the artwork that was ready for the trash!

Supplies

• Bird template (FREE)

• White cardstock

• Old artwork from your children/grandchildren

• Scissors

• Glue stick

Directions

• Print the bird template on cardstock paper—one per child

• Take old artwork and cut it into different shapes and sizes

• Arrange the cut up pieces of artwork on the bird

• Glue in place

Bird Watching for Kids:
An Educational & Fun Activity

The best way to teach your kids/grandkids about birds is to take them out birdwatching because kids learn best by doing…

There are a few supplies you’ll need. Click here for my comprehensive bird-watching supply list.

Most importantly, you need binoculars purchased in a variety of colors. Each child/grandchild should have their own binoculars.

Choose different places to go to look for birds—your backyard, neighborhood parks, hikes in the mountains, or by the ocean—the places are endless because birds are everywhere!

Every season of the year is good but the best times to see birds are dawn and dusk.

Here are some things to watch for when bird watching:

• Look for feathers on the ground (birds are molting and feathers indicate species)

• Birds singing or bird calls (sometimes you hear birds before you see them)

• Look for bird nests—some are high in the trees, others on the ground

• Check out anthills—you may see birds lying near because ants leave traces of formic acid on their wings which repeals parasites

• Look by water—the birds may be bathing

Grab your kids/grandkids and get going for the experience of a lifetime!

Bird Feeders from Pinecones, Peanut Butter & Birdseed

Have you made a bird feeder before? They’re easy and require very few supplies—pinecones, peanut butter, and birdseed.

When finished you can hang them in your backyard, or at a nature park. Since we’ve made bird feeders and birdhouses and hung them in our backyard to attract birds, we decided to hang these bird feeders in the trees at a nature park. Either place is ideal and will provide wonderful food for the birds.

It’s a fun sensory project as your kids/grandkids get their hands in gooey peanut butter and little bits of birdseed!

Supplies

• Smooth peanut butter

• Large pinecones

• Birdseed

• Yarn

• Hot glue gun

• Plastic knives

Directions

• Give your kids/grandkids bowls of smooth peanut butter and a plastic knife and have them carefully spread the peanut butter over the pinecone

• Roll the pinecone in birdseed

• Hot glue a long piece of yarn at the top of the pinecone. You want to be able to attach it to a tree limb.

• Either in your own backyard or nature park, hang your birdfeeders on a tree.

Bird Filler Games & Activities

Here are 3 bird activities that I used as bird “filler” activities—something to keep the grandkids busy while I prepare for the next project. They include a game, puzzles, and pattern-block birds. All three of these activities build spatial intelligence—important for reading, math, and language!

Bird Bingo

I purchased this game from Amazon and we’ve played it with the grandkids dozens of times—they love it! What I really like about this Bird Bingo is that all the cards show pictures of real birds—not drawn, which helps if you want your kids/grandkids to be able to eventually identify birds.

Purchase some simple prizes for the winners to add to the fun!

Supplies

Bird Bingo Game

Homemade Bird Puzzles

I downloaded these beautiful bird pictures from Danielle Hansen of Harbor & Sprout. I’ve purchased some of her bundles, too. These drawings are gorgeous! I printed them out on cardstock paper; laminated them and then made them into puzzles.

Make swirl, zig-zag, vertical, horizontal, and diagonal cuts—to make each puzzle interesting and different.

I’ve made lots of puzzles for the grandkids using purchased clipart. They are a great activity when you’re looking for something quick, fun, and educational.

Pattern Block Birds

Many years ago, when our sons were young, I purchased a large set of pattern blocks and pattern block pictures for the boys to use.

This activity used pattern blocks and pictures of birds that I found on Adventures in a Box. They are fabulous and FREE! Simply download, print on cardstock paper; laminate; add pattern blocks and your kids/grandkids are free to create!

Like puzzles, this is a great spatial activity for kids—which builds important math skills!

Books, Magazines & DVDs about Bird Watching for Kids

Here are some fabulous books, magazines, and DVDs about bird watching for kids & grandkids.

“Birds & Blooms” is a subscription magazine. Getting a monthly magazine is a great way to spark continual enthusiasm for birds with your kids/grandkids!

Are you familiar with The Great Courses? I’ve been purchasing DVDs and streaming downloads from this company for 20 years. A DVD I have about birds is “National Geographic Guide to Birding in North America.” They offer DVDs and video downloads on every subject imaginable—a great way to become a lifelong learner!  NOTE: subscribe to their mailing list–they will send you fantastic offers. Don’t pay retail!

Last, check out these bird-watching books for kids and grandkids.

• A Backyard Birding Adventure: What’s in Your Yard by Kermit Cummings

• The Big Book of Birds by Yuval Zommer

• The Most Popular Birds in North America: Bird Watching Guide for Kids by Nona Kid

• Why Should I Walk? I Can Fly! By Ann Ingalls

• Bird Builds a Nest: A First Science Storybook by Martin Jenkins

• Backpack Explorer: Bird Watch: What Will You Find by Editors of Storey Publishing

• Exploring Birds Activity Book for Kids by Kristine Rivers

• The Little Book of Backyard Bird Songs by Andrea Pinnington

Get To Know Your Backyard Birds:
Explore Your Backyard Series

Hi, friends!  You know those memes that joke about how quickly bird-watching becomes a hobby when you get older?  Well, I’m here to tell you that it’s a joke because it happens!  There is a point in every adult’s life when birds become fascinating creatures! 

A few months ago I put up a couple of bird feeders outside our kitchen window.  I had no idea how much joy I was about to get from those dang bird feeders!  I can sit all morning and watch those little cuties.  It’s wild.  

For a summer project, I thought it would be fun for the kids and me to learn about the different birds that frequented our feeder.  That’s the kind of stuff you remember forever, ya know? 

Every time I see a forsythia bush I think of my mom because she would drill it into our heads every spring as kids.

I’ve put together this post about 12 of the most common backyard birds in my area, which is southern Indiana/Midwest-ish.  I’ve included a picture of each bird along with a few fun facts. 

• Northern Cardinal

• Eastern Bluebird

• House Sparrow

• Goldfinch

• Red-Winged Blackbird

• Mourning Doves

• Carolina Chickadee

• Tufted Titmouse

• Blue Jay

• Robin

• White-Throated Sparrow

• House Finch

A way I’ve decided to make this a little more fun for us at my house is to tape a picture of each bird on the window where our bird feeders are located.  I can create a backyard bird printable if anyone is interested.  Let me know in the comments below if you do and I’ll share mine. 

Explore Your Backyard

Check out more in the Explore Your Backyard series!

• Red Fox

• Cicadas

• Squirrels

Your Backyard Birds

Northern Cardinal

• Males are bright red.  Females are light brown. 

• Red feathers are due to diet. 

• Mate for life.  

• Average lifespan is 3 years. 

• Official state bird of 7 states: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia. 

Eastern Bluebird

• Males are dep blue above and rudy red on the throat and chest. 

• Females are gray above with blue wings and an orange chest.   

• Average lifespan is 6-10 years 

• Prefer to find old nests made by other species and reuse them rather than building a new nest.  

House Sparrow

• Males have round heads, gray crowns, white cheeks, black bibs, and chestnut necks.  

• Females are plain buff-brown overall with dingy gray-brown underparts.  

• Most widely distributed wild bird in the world 

Goldfinch

• Bright yellow with black forehead, black wings, and white markings. 

• Females are duller in color than males.  

• Migrate south for winter.  Cannot handle temps below 0 degrees Fahrenheit. 

• Weave nests tight enough to hold water. 

• Yellow feathers are due to diet.  

Red-Winged Blackbird

• Males are glossy black with red/yellow on their shoulders. 

• Females are brown and heavily streaked with white (almost checker patterned). 

• Highly polygamous. 

Mourning Doves

• Gray, brown, tan (ish) with black spots on their wings. 

• Pink legs. 

• Mate for life.  

• Drink by sucking. 

Carolina Chickadee

• Black head, white cheeks, and gray back, wings, and tail.  

• Mates for life. 

• Cavity nester.  Will excavate their own nest site in rotten or decayed wood, use an old woodpecker hole, or a nesting box. 

Tufted Titmouse

• Soft silvery gray on top with white below.  A bit of peach coloring down the flanks and a black patch just above the bill.  

• Uses natural holes in trees, abandoned cavities excavated by woodpeckers, and artificial nesting boxes.  

• Use its feet to hold a seed while cracking it open.  

• Average lifespan 2 years. 

Blue Jay

• Bright blue on top with a mix of white and gray on throat, chest, and belly.  

• Love to eat acorns. 

• Average lifespan 5-7 years. 

• No states claim the blue jay as their state bird. 

Robin

• Gray or brown with a red tummy. 

• Males are more brightly colored than females.  

• Very territorial.  Will fight to the death to defend their area.  

• Loyal to a food source. The robin you see in your garden is most likely the same one each time.  

• State bird for 3 states: Connecticut, Michigan, and Wisconsin. 

White-Throated Sparrow

• Bright white throat. 

• Some have brought tan stripes on their head and others have white stripes – they tend to mate with a bird of opposites stripes. 

House Finch

• Adult males are red on the face and upper chest.

• Females are gray and brown. 

• In some areas considered an invasive species. 

• Love water.  On hot days can consume more than their own body weight in fluids. 

• Strict vegetarians.

How to Identify Bird Habitats: 

9 Expert Tips for Spotting
Secret Bird Homes 

To identify bird habitats, start by observing the environment—forests, wetlands, grasslands, or urban areas all attract different species.

Birds often match their surroundings, so a heron’s long legs signal shallow water, while a woodpecker thrives in tree-filled forests. Pay attention to food sources like berries, seeds, or insects, as these clue you into what birds might visit.

Use tools like range maps or apps like eBird to match species with habitats in your area.

Season matters too—migratory birds may only appear during certain months.

With practice, you’ll start spotting patterns, like how sparrows love open fields while ducks prefer ponds.

Table Of Contents

• Key Takeaways

• Bird Habitat Types

• Forested Habitats

• Aquatic Habitats

• Scrub-Shrub Habitats

• Open Habitats

• Identifying Bird Habitats

• Bird Adaptations Found

• Physical Adaptations

• Behavioral Adaptations

• Habitat Specific Adaptations

• Habitat Based Identification

• Using Range Maps

• Seasonal Bird Identification

• Importance of Habitat

• Recognizing Bird Habitats

• Look for Physical Features

• Find Out What You’re Likely to See

• Using EBird for Identification

• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• How can you identify seabirds in coastal habitats?

• How do I identify birds by habitat and range?

• How can you identify a bird?

• How do I find a bird in my area?

• How do I find a bird’s habitat?

• What should you observe in a bird’s habitat?

• What are the 4 keys to identifying birds?

• What are the habitats of birds?

• How do I know what birds are in my area?

• Is there a free app that identifies birds?

• Conclusion

Key Takeaways

• Focus on the habitat’s physical features like vegetation, water sources, and terrain to identify where birds live.

• Use tools like range maps and apps like eBird to match bird species with their habitats and seasonal movements.

• Pay attention to a bird’s adaptations, such as bill shape or behavior, to understand how it thrives in its specific environment.

• Observe food availability and nesting options in the habitat to predict which birds are likely to be present.

Bird Habitat Types

You’ll find birds inhabiting four main habitat types: forested areas with various tree species, aquatic environments like wetlands and shorelines, scrub-shrub zones with dense low vegetation, and open landscapes including grasslands and agricultural fields.

Birds thrive in habitats ranging from lush forests to open grasslands, each tailored to their unique adaptations and survival needs.

Each habitat type supports specific bird species that have evolved adaptations perfectly suited to their environmental niche, making habitat identification your first and most reliable clue when spotting birds in the wild, which is based on understanding their environmental niche.

Forested Habitats

Through forested habitats, you’ll discover distinct layers that support various bird species.

From the understory to the canopy, each level offers unique habitat characteristics.

Forest bird habitat identification relies on recognizing canopy density and edge effects.

You’ll notice that forest fragmentation impacts which species you’ll encounter.

Healthy forest management preserves these essential ecosystems where woodland birds nest, feed, and thrive in their natural environment.

Aquatic Habitats

While forests shelter numerous bird species, water attracts an entirely different cast of avian characters.

Aquatic habitats serve as critical environments for waterbirds with specialized adaptations allowing them to thrive where land meets water.

• Freshwater marshes host herons, egrets, and rails with their distinctive long legs

• Salt marshes and mangroves shelter specialized species like gulls and terns

• Coastal shorelines provide feeding grounds for sandpipers and plovers

• Estuaries create biodiversity hotspots where freshwater meets saltwater

• Open water bodies attract diving birds like loons and grebes

These habitats are essential for the survival of various bird species, and understanding their role in supporting waterbirds and other specialized species is crucial for conservation efforts.

• Coastline Bird Bingo

• Annotated List of Seabirds

• North American Seabirds

• Florida Shorebirds Database

• Top 15 Types Of Birds Near Water

Scrub-Shrub Habitats

Diversity thrives in scrub-shrub habitats where dense, low-growing vegetation creates perfect hideaways for many bird species.

You’ll find these intermediate ecosystems between forests and open areas, characterized by succession stages of regrowth.

Shrubland birds like towhees and thrashers depend on these habitats for protection and food sources.

Fire ecology often maintains these areas naturally, while edge effects create unique microhabitats where different bird communities overlap.

These areas are threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation.

Open Habitats

Unlike other habitat types, open habitats attract distinct bird species adapted to life without much vertical cover.

These expansive ecosystems include:

• Grasslands where meadowlarks and dickcissels thrive

• Agricultural farmland habitats hosting barn swallows and killdeer

• Prairie ecosystems supporting grassland specialists like bobolinks

• Desert environments where roadrunners and thrashers have adapted

When identifying open habitat characteristics, look for minimal tree cover, abundant grasses, and wide visibility—perfect for birds that prefer scanning their surroundings from ground level, which is a key factor in these expansive ecosystems.

Identifying Bird Habitats

Now that you know the main bird habitat types, recognizing them in the field becomes your next challenge.

When identifying bird habitats, look for key habitat indicators like vegetation structure, water sources, and elevation changes. You’ll want to assess habitat quality through signs of food availability and shelter options.

Remember, microhabitat diversity within larger environments often creates hotspots for specific species. A fallen log in a forest or a small puddle in grasslands can attract birds you might otherwise miss.

Understanding urban green spaces is also essential for spotting avian homes in cities. Learning these subtle cues transforms ordinary landscapes into detailed maps of potential bird homes, making your birdwatching experiences far more rewarding.

Bird Adaptations Found

You’ll notice birds have evolved distinctive features that signal their preferred habitats, from webbed feet of waterfowl to the specialized bills of woodpeckers.

These physical and behavioral adaptations aren’t just fascinating evolutionary outcomes—they’re practical clues you can use to identify where certain species make their homes.

Physical Adaptations

When examining birds in their natural settings, you’ll notice their physical adaptations are perfectly suited to their particular habitat.

Birds showcase incredible physical adaptations, each uniquely crafted to thrive in their specific habitats and environmental challenges.

Bill morphology varies dramatically—from the woodpecker’s chisel-like bill to the heron’s spear-shaped one—each designed for specific feeding strategies.

Feet structure, plumage coloration, wing shape, and sensory adaptations are all evolutionary responses to habitat characteristics.

These physical features aren’t random; they’re specialized tools that have developed over millennia to help birds thrive in their ecological niches.

Plumage adaptations, like camouflage for hiding, are essential for survival and have evolved to provide birds with a means to thrive in their environments, making them a key part of the birds’ ability to adapt and hide.

Behavioral Adaptations

Just as birds adapt physically, their behaviors have evolved to thrive in specific environments.

When identifying bird habitats, watch for these behavioral adaptations:

• Foraging strategies vary dramatically – woodpeckers drill trees while warblers glean insects from leaves

• Social behavior reveals habitat needs through nesting colonies or territorial displays

• Predator avoidance techniques like ground-nesting birds feigning injury

• Migration patterns that signal seasonal habitat preferences

These behaviors aren’t random – they’re sophisticated adaptations to particular habitat characteristics that help birds survive, and are a result of their ability to thrive in specific environments through particular habitat characteristics.

Habitat Specific Adaptations

The remarkable adaptations birds develop for specific habitats reveal nature’s ingenious design.

They develop unique features such as specialized bill morphology for filtering sediment, or unique feather types that provide insulation.

These features are observed in various species, for example, waterfowl, desert species, forest dwellers, and coastal birds, each with distinct adaptations.

Forest dwellers display leg adaptations for perching, and coastal birds develop sensory adaptations to detect prey under sand.

These habitat-specific characteristics aren’t random—they’re evolutionary responses to their environment’s challenges.

When you understand these dietary specializations, you’ll better appreciate why birds live where they do.

Habitat Based Identification

When identifying birds, start by focusing on their habitat—it’s often the best clue to narrow down your options.

From seasonal shifts to range maps, understanding where a bird lives can help you pinpoint its species with surprising accuracy.

Using Range Maps

Range maps are your secret weapon for identifying bird habitats.

They reveal bird geographic ranges, predict presence, and highlight habitat range overlaps.

To master them:

• Study map interpretation keys to decode details like seasonal range shifts.

• Check bird range maps to eliminate unlikely species.

• Combine maps with observations for precise identification.

Many resources offer detailed avian maps for enthusiasts.

Think of range maps as nature’s GPS for birdwatchers—practical, reliable, and essential!

Seasonal Bird Identification

A bird’s seasonal movements are like nature’s calendar, tied to migration patterns, breeding seasons, and food availability.

During spring and fall, watch for migratory species passing through specific habitats.

In summer, breeding birds settle, while winter reveals species adapted to weather impacts, and molting plumage can also signal a bird season shift.

Time of year shapes bird identification, so stay tuned to seasonal bird movements for better spotting!

Importance of Habitat

A bird’s habitat is its lifeline, offering survival necessities like food, water, and shelter. Understanding bird habitat preferences helps you spot species and grasp their ecosystem health.

Habitat conservation is essential, as it directly impacts species distribution. To identify natural bird habitats, consider:

• Habitat characteristics (trees, water, open fields).

• Bird behavior (feeding, nesting).

• Seasonal shifts.

• Bird habitat relationships (how species interact with surroundings).

This understanding of bird habitat relationships and conservation is crucial for maintaining healthy ecosystems and supporting species distribution.

Recognizing Bird Habitats

You can spot bird habitats by paying attention to the physical features of the environment, like water sources, tree types, or open fields.

Knowing what species are likely in the area based on habitat clues makes the search much easier, and understanding these complete concepts is key.

Look for Physical Features

Start by observing physical features like vegetation structure, water availability, and soil composition.

Topography clues, such as hills or flatlands, often reveal bird habitat preferences.

Notice microhabitat diversity—small pockets of unique conditions can attract specific species.

These bird habitat characteristics are key for bird habitat identification. Understanding the role of vegetation helps identify specific bird habitats.

By focusing on these details, you’ll master bird identification techniques and spot avian homes hidden in plain sight!

Find Out What You’re Likely to See

Once you’ve noted the physical features of a habitat, think about Habitat Probability.

What birds are likely there based on Bird Range and Seasonal Presence? Local Birds often align with specific bird habitat characteristics and preferences.

Use this birdwatching habitat guide to predict species:

• Forests: Thrushes, warblers, woodpeckers.

• Wetlands: Herons, egrets, rails.

• Grasslands: Sparrows, meadowlarks, kestrels.

Recognizing bird environments sharpens your bird identification skills!

Using EBird for Identification

If you’re curious about bird habitats but unsure what to expect, eBird can be your best ally.

By exploring eBird Data, you’ll access Species Maps, Community Sightings, and even tools like Sound Analysis for bird identification.

It’s a bit like having a birding encyclopedia in your pocket.

Plus, eBird’s Photo ID feature helps confirm your finds, making bird habitat identification easier and more rewarding.

Enthusiasts can also purchase products related to eBird species maps for detailed information.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How can you identify seabirds in coastal habitats?

Look for seabirds with webbed feet, waterproof feathers, and salt glands, often gliding over waves or diving for fish.

Their habitats include rocky cliffs, sandy shores, and open water, where they thrive in saltwater environments.

How do I identify birds by habitat and range?

To identify birds by habitat and range, focus on where they live—forests, wetlands, or grasslands—and use range maps to check their seasonal movements.

Habitat clues, like vegetation or water, narrow possibilities quickly, and using range maps can be particularly helpful in this process.

How can you identify a bird?

You don’t need to be an expert to identify a bird—focus on its size, shape, color patterns, and behavior.

Listen for calls, observe its habitat, and use range maps for clues.

How do I find a bird in my area?

Start by exploring local parks, backyards, or nature trails.

Birds often hang out where food, water, and shelter are abundant.

Use binoculars, listen for calls, and check trees, shrubs, or open spaces.

How do I find a bird’s habitat?

Imagine birds as picky travelers—they choose spots offering food, water, shelter, and nesting.

Study the landscape: forests, wetlands, or grasslands.

Match bird behaviors and physical traits to the habitat’s unique features, considering complete concepts that influence their decisions.

What should you observe in a bird’s habitat?

Watch for vegetation types, water sources, and terrain features.

Notice food availability, nesting spots, and shelter options.

Pay attention to weather and season, as these influence bird presence. It’s like reading nature’s blueprint, which involves understanding the complete concepts of the environment.

What are the 4 keys to identifying birds?

To identify birds, focus on size and shape, color patterns, behavior, and habitat.

Think of these as your "field guide keys" to reveal clues, narrowing down species and making each sighting more meaningful.

What are the habitats of birds?

Over 10,000 bird species thrive worldwide, each tied to unique habitats like forests, wetlands, grasslands, coasts, and mountains.

These environments provide essentials—food, water, shelter, and nesting—perfectly matching their adaptations and survival needs, especially in terms of unique habitats.

How do I know what birds are in my area?

Check local birding guides or apps to find species common in your area.

Pay attention to habitats like forests, wetlands, or urban spaces nearby, and use seasonal migration patterns to narrow down possibilities.

Is there a free app that identifies birds?

Over 70 million Americans enjoy birdwatching, and apps like Merlin Bird ID are free and fantastic.

Just upload a photo or describe the bird, and it’ll help you identify species based on location and traits.

Conclusion

Spotting bird habitats is like solving a nature puzzle—each clue, from a heron’s long legs to a sparrow’s field preference, reveals their secret homes.

By observing landscapes, food sources, and seasonal patterns, you’ll sharpen your skills in how to identify bird habitats.

Don’t forget tools like eBird and range maps, which simplify the process.

With practice, you’ll decode these avian mysteries, turning every walk into an adventure filled with discovery and connection to the natural world.

 Try Birding After Dark

It can be a challenge, but it can also be highly rewarding.

Think a Snowy Owl is impressive in the daylight? Wait until you spot their ghostly figure at night. Photo: Ryan Pennesi/Audubon photography Awards

By Nicholas Lund

Getting up super early in the morning is an uncomfortable requirement for many birders. But we’re told that you’ve got to get out at dawn if you want to hear the birds singing, and so we leave our warm beds and drag ourselves out into the predawn darkness. Early birds get the worms, but early birders get the birds.

I’m sure some birders out there love getting up before dawn, but I don’t. And I know plenty of others who don’t either. But what if there was another way? What if you could still be an excellent birder while sleeping all morning long? Well, if you’ve read the headline to this article, you’ll know that there is a way: bird after dark.

Birding at night is a much different experience than birding during the day. Mostly because, you know, you can’t see anything. You’ll never see as many species as you will during the day, but it’s a new way to experience birdlife. You’re out there looking and listening for species you don’t really go after during the daytime, and you’re developing new birding senses. It can be extremely rewarding.

Owls are a favorite prize. Owls! I don’t appreciate them enough. They’re ninjas of the bird world, silently stalking their prey under cover of night. Fortunately, they’re not always silent, and getting out at dark to listen for calling owls is the most common nighttime-birding activity.

How does a beginning birder start owling? It’s as easy or as challenging as you want it to be. Start by figuring out what owls live near you and what their calls sound like. Audubon has a good primer on common owl calls, and you can also check the incredible Xeno-canto for pretty much every other call you would ever need. 

Once you know what you’re listening for, head to some woods. Owls generally breed earlier than other birds, so they’re actively hooting when many other birds are silent. For example, Great Horned Owls and Barred Owls nest as early as December and can be heard hooting through the fall and winter. So, what I'm saying is, go out there now. 

You can check eBird for owl sightings nearby, or you can just find a patch of woods and start hooting yourself. You might be surprised to get a response! Believe me, the sensation you feel when you first hear an owl hooting off in the darkness—especially if it’s closer than you expected—is something you’ll never forget. (Don’t play tapes though, please, especially during nesting season.) Also, make sure to bring a flashlight, both so you can try to spot the owl if its close and also so you can see where you're going. 

Owls aren’t the only birds calling at night, of course. There are other species that you’re unlikely to see during the day and are best heard after dark: the cooly-named nightjars, also known by the even cooler name goatsuckers. (Quick aside: They were originally referred to as goatsuckers because of they’re weird looking, and people long ago thought that they came into pens at night and drank milk from goats. They don’t.) This group includes whip-poor-wills, Chuck-will's-widows, nighthawks, Common Poorwill, pauraque, and more. For the most part, each of these birds stays largely motionless and perfectly camouflaged during the day, but they can really raise a ruckus at night. NIghtjars aren’t around during the winter in most of the U.S., so you’ll have to go out during late spring and early summer to hear them singing. I highly recommend it.

Looking to get more intense? I’ve got something for you: night flight calls. Known as NFC by dedicated birders, this is the practice of listening for (or recording) the short calls of birds as they migrate overhead in the middle of the night. It’s intense. As hundreds of species migrate in the spring and fall, they make little calls to each other, presumably to stay in touch up there in the dark. Really good birders—like, REALLY good birders—have learned to differentiate those little calls and identify them to species. Some will even record an entire night’s worth of NFCs and then analyze the information on a computer, getting a more accurate picture of migration.

I have never listened for NFCs. It’s honestly hard enough for me to remember the freaking songs of these birds during the day, let alone the tiny little notes they make in the middle of the night thousands of feet overhead. One day I’ll get there, though. If you want to get started before me, here are some helpfulresources.

Another nighttime option after you get some experience is a Big Night. An insomniac’s version of a Big Day, a Big Night is exactly what it sounds like: Birders have to identify as many species as they can from sunset to sunup. Not many birders have done a Big Night (actually, I really only know of the one linked above), so it might be your opportunity to set a record. Make your mark—at night!

Birding at night is fun, but stay safe, you know? All the precautions you might take for birding during the day—letting people know where you’re going, not going by yourself—apply doubly during the night, when you can more easily get turned around in the woods or run into a shady stranger. I wish I had better advice for this part, but I don’t really know what to say other than keep your wits about you, and be careful.

Then, when you’re home, feel free to sleep in. 

• Bird Feeding and Care

• Search for Native Plants

• Audubon Birdseed, Houses, and More

• Visit Our Guide To North American Birds

• Download the Audubon Bird Guide App

• Birding Hub

• How to Get Started

• Tips For Identifying Birds

• Bird Photography Hub

• Tips for Photographing Birds

• Camera and Equipment Advice

• Audubon Photography Awards

• Gear and Resources

• Binocular Guide

• Spotting Scope Guide

50+ Incredible Activities for Little Bird Watchers 

I’ll be fully honest: at this point in our life, we’re not strictly Montessori. Ella attends a Reggio kindergarten part-time, and with free full-day kindergarten starting at 3.5-4 years old in Canada, our daycare kids are all between the ages of 1-3. I would say we are still heavily Montessori-inspired because that’s my background and what we love, but our activities look different than what you would see at a Montessori school.

   PB&J Birdseed Ornaments

Play Video

While there are “all or nothing” Montessori purists, I’d rather implement what works in our lifestyle and not try to fit our lifestyle into a strict definition of what it means to be Montessori. If Montessori means hands-on learning, child-based inquiry informed by the teachings of Dr. Maria Montessori, I would say we’re pretty Montessori!

I’m going to break down these ideas into their Montessori Categories – Sensorial, Practical Life, Language Arts, Math, and Culture.

You can see our Jolly Phonics-inspired /b/ is for bird (mini) unit study here.

One material you’re going to see over and over again in these activities are these Bird Toobs from Safari Ltd. They have a Backyard Birds collection and an Exotic Birds collection. I like them because they are very detailed and realistic – more so than any other similar collection of miniature animal figurines we’ve checked out. The figurines are individually hand painted and super affordable, and ours have lasted nearly a decade without any visible signs of wear.

Also, be sure to provide a few books about birds in your reading nook while engaging in your bird unit study. I’ve collected my favorite Montessori-inspired Bird Books here.

Don’t forget to grab our free printable unit study planners here.

Bird Sensory Play

In Montessori, the Sensorial curriculum is not the same as your typical sensory play – but sensory play can be a more accessible way to engage the senses if you can’t buy or DIY the whole sensorial curriculum.

Sensory Play is always a huge part of our curriculum, and it’s essential in any well-rounded preschool program. We’ve done quite a few bird sensory activities this Spring and I’ve found a few more ideas we’d like to try! We also included some bird-inspired sensory play ideas in our 10+ Spring Sensory Bins post.

• Worm Clean Mud Sensory Bin

• Bird Seed Sensory Bin

• Bird Seed Slime

• Feather Painting | Munchkins & MomsProcess art & sensory, all in one!

• Bird Binoculars | Art Bar Blog
  Make these binoculars and then focus on observing & isolating your sense of sight while looking for birds

• Spaghetti Birds Nests | Still Playing School

• Kiddie Pool Bird’s Nest | Creekside Learning

• Bird Seed Play Dough | Two-daloo

• Bird Nest Play Dough Invitation | Fantastic Fun & Learning

• Feed the Birds Fine Motor Sensory Bin | Modern Preschool

• Play Dough Birds | Craftulate

Bird Practical Life

There are lots of fun ways to incorporate a love of birds into your child’s Montessori practical life activities, from making bird feeders to making a meal with eggs! Here are a few ideas to get the ball rolling:

• Build a bird feeder
  We’ve made several – cookie cutter ones, peanut butter on a tp roll versions, and Cheerios on pipe cleaners, etc.

• Bird a Bird House

• Feathers for Lunch | Munchkins & Moms
  This activity might look like sensory play, but it also incorporates scissors skills and hand-eye coordination – which I would say are pretty practical!

• Cleaning Bird Feeders | from Marie of Child Led Life

• Filling Bird Feeders | Mama’s Happy Hive
  Part of a larger toddler bird unit study.

• Eat Like a Bird | My Nearest & Dearest
  Use some tongs to practice fine motor skills and pretend that you’re a bird gathering food with it’s beak!

• Transferring Eggs | Every Star is Different
  If you’d prefer a non-food activity with your tongs, this egg transfer activity is a great way to put that devilled egg tray to good use!

• Studying Bird Beaks | Pink Stripey Socks
  Another twist, but I really love this concept of using several different utensils to recreate the function of a beak – and I REALLY how Leslie painted her son’s hand to look like a bird with the fingers as the beak!

• Building a Bird Hide | Mother Natured
  While building a bird house would be fun, what about building a jungle-style “bird hide” that kids can observe & photograph birds from!

• Egg Cracking Fine Motor Activity | Modern Preschool
  Maybe not what you’d expect from the title – but a great way to build some hand muscles!

• Our PB&J Bird Seed Ornaments are also a great way to use practical life skills in the kitchen (and then get to see all of the birds visiting to enjoy their special snack).

Bird Language Arts

We previously shared our Top 10 Bird Books (a mix of fiction and nonfiction), and here are some other ways to include birds into your language studies:

• I love coming up with fun ways to change up our Montessori Writing Tray, like adding bird seed instead of salt/sand!

• Magnetic Bird Letter Activities | Learning2Walk
  You can keep them on a cookie sheet if you don’t want them decorating your fridge.

• Bird 3-Part CardsOfficially a science material, but they are also good for learning to read

• Printable Bird I Spy | And Next Comes L
  A great way to practice descriptive language and adjectives to describe the various birds on the printable

• Bird Consonant Blend Activities | Learning2Walk

• Seed Name Art | Life Over C’s
  Create a beautiful, textured name for children to trace and admire

• Free Spring Bird Emergent Reader | Early Learning Ideas @ Teachers Pay Teachers

• Bird Alphabet Poster | Yong Chen
  I am loving this & think it would work well with the other bird art in our play room.

• Letter Crafts | Mommas Fun World
  I love Orton-Gillingham crafts, like the letters D and N from this series, as well as a “B” decorated like a bird.

• Feed Letter Worms to the Baby Bird | Kiwi Krate

• Our Easy Bird Feeder is also a great science-meets-art activity!

Bird Math

• Replace the spindles in your Montessori Spindle Box with craft eggs or fishing tackle worms.

• Bird Play Dough Mats for Counting | Life Over C’s
  A fun way to blend sensory play and math!

• Counting & Subtracting Bird Eggs | Every Star is Different
  This post also has a printable set of 50 Bird Cards from around the world!

• Bird Sorting | Activity Mom
  Practice size classification with this free printable & some easy paper bag nests!

• Nest Counting Mats | the Measured Mom

• Robin’s Next Addition | Make Take Teach at Teachers Pay Teachers

• Pin the Tail on the Bird | From Pond
  I love how many ways to play Mel came up with!

• Fingerprint Nest Eggs | Adventures in Tutoring & Special Education
  You could use children’s fingers or bingo dabbers to complete these counting sheets.

• Egg Sorting Tot Tray | My Life of Travels & Adventures
  This is a great way to practice one-to-one correspondence combined with practical life & fine motor skills!

• 5 Little Ducks | the Wiggles
  I love finger play songs, and this one is a classic that involves 5 little ducks going over a hill and far away…

Bird Culture

In Montessori, “culture” refers to science, sociology, geography, and history. Here you will find an assortment of ideas that range from scientific observation and experiments, to understanding the anatomy of birds, and the different birds that can be found all over the world!

• Bird Watching | Kitchen Counter Chronicles
  Go for a nature walk and look for birds – binoculars and bird guide book optional!

• PB&J Cookie Cutter Bird Seed Ornaments
  A bit of sensory play, kitchen time and bird culture all in one!

• Backyard Birds Observation sheet | Natural Beach Living
  A more localized approach to bird watching, which is perfect if you just set up a special bird feeder.

• Invitation to Build a Bird’s Nest | Munchkins & Moms
  A great sorting and classifying activity.

• Bird Next Provocation | Wonders in Kindergarten
  Go for a nature walk and then set-up this hands-on exploration of how to build a bird’s nest.

• Bird 3 Part Cards & classification book printables | the Pinay Homeschooler
  Learn the parts of the bird & make your own book with these free printables.

• Studying Bird Characteristics | the Pinay Homeschooler

• Bird Beak Experiment | Blessed Beyond a Doubt
  After you notice that not all beaks look the same, it might be a good time to explore the different uses for beaks! Beaks are so much more than lips – they are tools that birds can use in many different ways.

• This Bird Life Cycle set is on our wishlist!

• Predict & Pour Bird Seed | Familylicious

• We love using our bird cards with our Montessori bird puzzle to practice fine motor skills & learn the parts of the bird, at the same time!

• 50 Birds, 50 States National Geographic video series

Be Sure to Pin this Collection of Bird-inspired Activities for Kids!

Are your kids interested in birds? What kind of bird activities would you add to this collection?

Check out these other Montessori Nature-inspired ideas from my fellow Montessori bloggers as part of the 12 Months of Montessori Blog Hop:

Exploring our Senses Outdoors (Montessori Silence Game) – Printables | The Natural Homeschool

Montessori Nature Tray with Vocabulary – Parts of the Plant | Living Montessori Now

Montessori Inspired Bird Unit – Mama’s Happy Hive

College Application Essay Writer

Montessori-inspired Backyard Bird Activities | Every Star is Different

Nature in the Field | Grace and Green Pastures

 Transforming your backyard into a bird-friendly sanctuary is easier than it seems. With the right plants, feeders, water sources, and shelter, you can create a space that not only benefits birds but also brings beauty and life to your garden. 

How to Photograph Birds With a Smartphone

April 21, 2016 — You already own a powerful tool for snapping birds. Here’s how to make the most of it.

10 Tips for Photographing Birds

January 16, 2014 — A professional photographer, and past Audubon Magazine Photo Awards winner, offers advice for capturing stunning bird shots.

Six Tips for Photographing Birds from Boats

June 05, 2018 — For stunning shots of alcids and other ocean-loving species, get in their element.

Zoom Out: Tips for Photographing Birds in their Landscapes

Put down the telephoto lens, and you might just enhance your art.

Photographing Birds From a Boat:
A Guide to the Basics

For a whole new perspective, try a trip where you float.

How to Get the Right Exposure for Photographing Birds

July 07, 2016 — Mastering basic DSLR techniques like f-stops and shutter speeds will make your images stand out.

Why Closer Is Not Always Better When Photographing Birds

February 03, 2017 — The impulse to shoot your subject at close range can be powerful, but there are several reasons why that's not best for the animal—or the image.

10 Ways to Take Better Smartphone Photos

 How to make the most out of the camera that you always have with you.

How to Share Your Kids’ Photographs

These apps, tools, and tips will connect your budding photographer to a broader community of bird enthusiasts.

Maybe your child took some great shots of neotropical migrants during your family birding vacation in Costa Rica. Or she’s successfully captured the story of the robins hatching and fledging in your backyard. What do you do with the photos now, so that they don't fade into obscurity on your home computer? Here are some ways to preserve and present them, either to your friends and family or to the broader community or birding world. 

Preserve for Friends and Family

• Print and frame the favorites. You can do this on a home printer using photo paper, or order prints in any size from an online service. Or you can turn a particularly vibrant image into something even more creative. The website Big Huge Labs lets you design all kinds of products, such as trading cards, jigsaw puzzles, and magazine covers (you can produce your own Audubon cover!).

• Kodak Fun for Kids features DIY projects, such as a memory card game, that parents and children can make together using printed photos. Along with instructions, the site lists suggested skill levels, materials needed, and time requirements. 

Share With Your Local Community  

• If your child has photos that tell the story of a birding trip, or a portfolio of images of local birds that they're excited about sharing with others, consider encouraging him or her to put together a slideshow. Google Slides is free to use and fairly intuitive. Venues such as a local school, public library, or Audubon chapter will likely welcome the presentation and provide the projector and screen.

• Alternately, Animoto enables you to turn photos and video clips into stunning HD videos; you can even set them to music. Smilebox offers another way to create animated slideshows (and greeting cards, too). Your creations can then be emailed, posted to Facebook, or burned onto DVDs. Both sites offer a free trial period if you want to check them out before purchasing a year’s subscription.

• Consider putting together a photo display that could be mounted at a local community center or as part of an event, like an Earth Day celebration. Are there nature centers in your area that could use photos to promote education and awareness about local wildlife? 

• Establish a school photography club to help your child and others link up to share their photos. Inquire at the school to see if there’s interest; the art teacher is often a good place to start. eBird also offers some tips on How to Start a New Club. Though aimed expressly at birding, its “Young Birders Club Toolkit” can be tailored to form a club that focuses on bird photography as well.

Share With an Online Community

• Contribute to science and conservation by sharing photos of birds while also reporting sightings to the eBird database. eBird is both a real-time, online checklist program and a global citizen-science project. The observations provide scientists, educators, and conservation biologists with data about bird distribution and abundance around the world. The data have been used in a wide variety of applications, from highlighting the importance of public lands to studies on evolution. Plus, eBird is a great way to kickstart a conversation with your child about conservation and maintain his or her own individual checklist.

• There are a number of blogging sites geared specifically toward kids. Kidblog, Doodlekit, and Edublogs are three good options. These all enable parents or a teacher to control who can view and comment. The website Kids Learn to Blog offers resources for both children and parents to lead them through the process, with helpful guides such as How to Start a Blog for Kids Under 13 and videos on how to blog for those more visually oriented. You can find a great collection of blogs maintained by young birders at Ebird’s Young Birders’ Blogs. 

• While social media may give some parents pause, developers have created a couple of photo-sharing apps explicitly for young users. PopJam, otherwise known as ‘Instagram for kids,’ allows children under the age of 13 to comment and share photos, as well as draw doodles in response to each other. With Kuddle, kids can add captions to their photos but can't comment or tag in order to prevent bullying. 

• If your child is 13 or older, he or she can create Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter accounts to share images and network with other young photographers. Instagram is a particularly good platform for highlighting bird photography; tagging the species and location will help catch the attention of like-minded Instagrammers.

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A busy high schooler shares how he got hooked on birds at an early age and what they mean to him.
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