Discover our top tips for improving your general bird ID skills, or browse our expert advice to brush up on tricky bird groups like winter waders and dabbling ducks.
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Bird ID at home
Discover our expert’s top tips for building your bird identification skills in the comfort of your own home, day or night and whatever the weather.
General bird identification skills
These articles will help you learn some key skills relating to bird structure, age and topography (the main feather tracts) that you can apply when identifying any bird you see.
How to use structure in bird identification
Structure can be key for confidently identifying birds, especially when species share similar plumage and behaviour.
How to use age in bird identification
Taking a moment to look for clues as to a bird's age can ease the identification process and help avoid mistakes.
How to use topography in bird identification
Mastering the main feather tracts on a bird is a key building block for making an accurate identification.
Bird topography: a deep dive
Learning bird topography will greatly enhance the way you look at birds, describe them to others, and, ultimately, identify them.
Learn bird songs and calls
Recognising birds by their call or song is often seen as an advanced aspect of birding, but with practice, it can be hugely enriching. Read our top tips for identifying birds by their vocalisations and discover useful resources.
How to learn bird song
Why not make this the year when you really improve this aspect of your birdwatching? Whether starting from scratch or fine-tuning, we have some hints and tips to help you.
Identify birds by their calls
Learning to identify birds by their calls is easier than it seems; in fact, you probably know some calls already. Read our hints and tips and start opening this exciting dimension of birdwatching.
Birdsong videos
Our #BirdSongBasics video series will help you get started with identifying birds by song. It includes free training videos and quizzes on the songs of commonly occurring garden birds.
Identifying ‘confusion’ species
Distinguishing similar species – often called ‘confusion’ species – can give even experienced birders a headache. Our Field Craft articles will help you hone in on the key features needed to separate these species.
How to identify dabbling ducks
If you’ve ever been baffled by a nondescript dabbling duck, you’re not alone. Learn how to distinguish them with our expert tips in this article.
How to identify ducklings of different species
Recording ducklings gives us valuable information about birds’ breeding success. But can you tell your Tufty from your Teal?
How to identify winter waders
Taking the first steps in identifying winter waders can be daunting, but we have some handy tips and advice to help build your confidence.
How to identify winter raptors
From soaring eagles to harrier roosts, finding winter raptors can be a wonderful birding experience. Boost your identification of this group with this article.
How to identify gulls
Their plumages can be bewildering, but you don’t need to be an expert to identify gulls! Learn how to use structure to identify the most common species in the UK.
Other bird ID resources
Our bird ID video series also covers common ‘confusion species’, such as Coot and Moorhen, Linnet and Twite, Black-tailed and Bar-tailed Godwit and more.
You might also be interested in our range of training courses, delivered by our in-house experts with options for both beginner and more advanced birdwatchers.
Learn more with BTO News
Our Field Craft articles are extracts from our members’ magazine, BTO News.
Join BTO today and receive your quarterly copy of BTO News with exclusive birdwatching, opinion, and masterclass articles.
