Bird Study

The scientific study of birds is called ornithology. Bird study is also a popular hobby. No special equipment is needed for bird study, other than a notebook to list the number and kinds of birds observed and a guidebook to aid in bird identification. However, even the cheapest 4× (four magnifications) binoculars will greatly increase the pleasure. A good pair of 6× binoculars is recommended for the serious hobbyist.

Some bird watchers note the number of different species to be found in their area, and the time of year each appears. Others help take bird censuses that show the number of individuals of each species that live in a certain area. Photography of birds can be a rewarding hobby, but it demands skill and patience and requires expensive equipment.

In banding, or ringing, a numbered aluminum band is placed around the leg of a captured bird; the bird is then released. By recovering birds that have already been banded, much can be learned about migration, family habits, lifespan, and the accumulation of radioactive and toxic substances. For large birds, colored neck bands are sometimes used. In most countries, banding requires a government permit.

To track the flight of a bird, signals from a small radio transmitter attached to the bird are monitored by a person in a moving vehicle; this process is a form of telemetry. To learn about the movements of flocks of migrating birds, radio signals are transmitted into the sky and reflected off a flock. The reflected signals are monitored by a receiver on the ground and displayed on a screen; this process is a form of radar.

The National Audubon Society, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Canadian Wildlife Service are among the organizations and agencies that provide educational information to people interested in studying birds.