Are You Scaring the Birds?

Did you know that the birds will tell you how they are feeling?

It’s true.

If we take the time to observe what they are communicating we’ll get to see more birds in their natural state for longer periods of time. Plus, we’ll be learning how to respect what they are asking of us.

Today I cover three key tips to remember if you want to see more birds like; a bird’s comfort zone, specific gestures that tell you how threatened they are feeling, as well as how our own body postures can impact a bird’s sense of well being.

Leave a comment below to let me know what behaviors you’ve observed that indicate a bird is uncomfortable.

Three Tips to Help Prepare for Your Birdwatching Vacation

Are you thinking about taking a vacation this year?

Would you like to include a little bird watching time while you are at your destination? Maybe the sole purpose of your entire trip is to go bird watching.

Whatever the case may be, I think you’ll find today’s Bird Mentor video helpful in crafting a trip that will get you out there actually seeing the birds you hope to see.

I’ll share the three most important things I do when I’m getting ready to head to unfamiliar birding territory. I have to admit, you’ll probably find one of them pretty boring. But, it’s honestly the best thing you can do to get ready for your vacation. Heck, you should do it regardless of whether or not you are traveling to an exotic destination this year.

You’ll also hear a few stories from my recent adventures in Southern Arizona.

Leave a comment below to let me know how you like to prepare for your birding vacations.

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What About The Ladies?

I was leading a bird walk for a sassy group of women from Texas this summer and we were having a blast. Unfortunately, one of the women was constantly struggling to find the birds we were seeing in her field guide.

I didn’t want her to feel frustrated with her experience, so I walked over to see if I could help. That’s when I noticed something strange and a little disconcerting about the field guide she was using.

Check out today’s video to hear what we discovered. I’ll also share some of the distinguishing characteristics of the Hooded Merganser and the Eared Grebe.

Thank you to the generous folks who share their work on Flickr Creative Commons, especially:

1. Eared Grebe – John Kendall – 2011
2. Hooded Merganser – Male – Nigel – 2012
3. Hooded Merganser – Female – Paul Albertella – 2013

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What are the Bluebirds Doing?

Recently, I’ve noticed strange behavior with some of the birds in my area. A small flock of Western Bluebirds appeared to be engaging in nesting behavior… in November.

What’s going on?

Check out today’s video to hear more about this story.

Click the link to the right to check out my FREE online course starting December 1st.

Learning Bird Song

Is It a Raven or a Hawk?

Do you think you could identify a bird by watching how often if flaps its wings?

Just yesterday, I watched two different species of birds fly by me and was unable to see any markings. Because of this, I had to rely on the birds’ behaviors to help me identify them.

Join me today to learn how one of these behaviors really helped me to key in on which species of bird I was seeing.

Be sure to keep your eyes peeled on the Bird Menor Facebook page for details about my upcoming FREE course, Learning Bird Song.

Leave a comment below to let me know which birds you think I saw. Don’t forget to let me know why.

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