Archive for the 'Frequently Asked Questions' Category

Frequently Asked Questions about Birding #9

What field guide should I buy?

Again, this is really up to personal preferences. Most countries of the world have at least one really good field guide for the birds of that country. In Australia we have a range of about 5 or 6 really lovely field guides to choose from. Often it comes down to what your budget can afford.

Most Australian field guides are in the range from $20-40. A word of warning: in recent times there have been a few ‘field guides’ that consist of only photographs. These are often beautiful productions and worthy of any birder’s library. They are, however, of limited use when identifying birds in the field.

A photograph shows a single bird, sometimes in light conditions that are not ideal. A good field guide consists of paintings of a typical member of the species showing all the subtle colour and plumage features that make for a positive ID. Good field guides also give a written description of the bird, and include a distribution map and plenty of additional information.

Willie Wagtail

Frequently Asked Questions about Birding #8

What is a Field Guide?

A field guide is a book which helps the birder to identify the birds in the field (in the wild). Some species of birds can be very similar. In Australia, for example, the thornbills are mostly little brown birds often jokingly called LBBs (Little Brown Birds). They can be infuriatingly hard to identify as they feed high the canopies of trees.

A field guide helps to sort out the different species and give them a name.

If you are lucky! And clever.

Yellow Rumped Thornbill

Frequently Asked Questions about birding #7

What equipment do I need to be a birder? It is entirely up to the individual and what their budget is like. Great enjoyment of birds can be derived from merely looking at or listening to birds – with no equipment at all. Having a few extra items, while not essential, can really enhance one’s appreciation of birds. These include:

• Binoculars
• Field guide
• Note book
• Camera
• Telescope
• Maps
• GPS
• Computer database
• Bird calls on CDs or tapes.
• Magazines, books, DVDs, videos
• Membership of a birding club or organisation.

Over the next few days I will be writing about some of these things.

Red Wattlebird

Frequently Asked Questions about Birding #6

How much should I spend on binoculars? How much have you got? This is really up to the individual. In Australian dollars, some serious birders feel quite happy spending $3000 on excellent quality binoculars. I’m sure they are wonderful, but I can only justify about $100 and I have seen some wonderful birds using cheap binoculars like that.

While the bottom line is your budget, it must be said that you get what you pay for. If you want good quality in your optics, you will have to pay for it. For the general, occasional birding use, anything over $500 Australian is probably overkill. I know many birders would strongly disagree with me. It’s your hobby; pay what you can afford and justify.

Personally, if I had $3000 I would rather spend $100 on a perfectly adequate pair of binoculars and use the rest on petrol to go see some wonderful birds. That’s far better than sitting at home with the best binoculars money can buy – and seeing only sparrows and starlings in the backyard.

Common Starling

Frequently Asked Questions about Birding #5

Do I need to buy some binoculars to be a birder? No – but having even cheap binoculars will help you develop your interest in birds. Using binoculars will help you to see the many details of the colours and the feathers and subtle differences between similar species. They also help to identify a bird that is far off.

Little Raven