More birds

[colliemommie]

-Some sort of flicker
-catbird/cowbird/mockingbird
- red-winged blackbird! (Very surprising, as they tend to like fields and the backyard is wooded)
-juvenile woodpecker (not entirely sure what type)

We also have some squirrels that mope around, and the fattest chipmunks I have ever seen.

Here is a picture of Katrina's turkey:

Comments

[kk1raven.livejournal.com]

The only flicker you should be seeing is the yellow-shafted form of the Northern Flicker.

[colliemommie.livejournal.com]

Thank you! That's the guy. Or, rather, the girl. It was a female, which might be why I had such trouble identifying the exact type.

Do you have any recommendations for resources for the novice bird watcher? I'm doing so-so, as my list shows, but I want to learn more, and so does Katrina.

[kk1raven.livejournal.com]

I came make all sorts of recommendations. :-)

Do you have a good field guide to birds? If not, that's where I'd recommend starting. The National Geographic guide is a good choice. It contains all the birds you're likely to see but isn't too advanced for beginners. The Peterson field guide series offers some good books too. The standard field guide to eastern birds is a good one plus there is a guide to backyard birds that is directed at 4-7 year-olds and a field-guide coloring book with stickers. There's also The Young Birder's Guide to Birds of North America by Bill Thompson III. I haven't seen that one but I've heard good things about it.

If you have a smart phone or tablet, iBird is a good guide for those devices. You can find out more at http://ibird.com . There's an app version of the National Geographic guide too. I don't have that one myself but I've heard good things about it too. One big advantage in the app versions of field guides is that they generally have recordings of the birds as well as pictures. The big disadvantage is that they tend to show the birds one or two species at a time and that can make it harder when you haven't narrowed down which species you're looking for.

Besides having at least one good guide to birds, one of the best ways to learn more is to go out with other birders. Most birders are happy to help beginners. You're in Pittsburgh now, right? Check out the Three Rivers Birding Club http://www.3rbc.org/ and the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania http://www.aswp.org/ . The ASWP has some nature programs directed specifically at young children that Katrina might enjoy.

If you find yourself anywhere near Reading with some time to spare, let me know and I'll show you some birds.

[noodledays.livejournal.com]

awww, love!

[filkferengi]

There's one on half.com [isbn: 9780547119342 ] in very good condition for 4.13; seller has 99% feedback.