eBirdseed.com Wild Bird Feeding Blog

Just use promo code "CAM15F" (online during checkout or when calling by phone) during September to receive a 15% discount in any feeder in our online store.

(And if you don't remember, just use our bird cam below to actually see the code.)

Now is the perfect time to get a quality feeder for winter.

Click the link below to see the full selection... http://www.ebirdseed.com/page/EB/CTGY/feeder

There... Now the business stuff is out of the way... On to the more important subject of how to become a "Backyard Bird Expert" in one easy lesson... Let's take the fellow below as an example and lesson guide...

He's (she's?) probably a grosbeak or a finch... But who knows... And that is exactly the point! The legs say grosbeak, but the throat says goldfinch... And that leads us right into the secret lesson of becoming an "Instant Birding Expert"...

1. First, never admit to ignorance! Should the bird above suddenly perch on the deck railing of your fall BBQ, and the grilling throngs ponder the ilk of avian... Never say, "Gee, I don't know what that is..."
2. Learn the basics... There really are only six bird types:
   • Tiny birds like hummingbirds
   • LBBs (Little Brown Birds)
   • Jay-size birds
   • Water birds like gulls and ducks
   • Big guys like raptors
   • Cessna birds
   You see that? So right off the bat, I'd I.D. the bird above as a LBB and everyone would "Ohh" and "Awh".
3. So what happens if some Weisenheimer wants to know real details about the bird? Well... After accidentally knocking over said Weisenheimer's drink, I'd take a closer look in the hope that the bird will fly away. (This almost always works for me.)
4. And if that still doesn't work? Ummm... Fall back to a unique blend of one of "Basic Six" above. Our bird in question might be a "Lesser Hummingbird". (Though given my experience and gall, I'd go for some derivation of a "Cessna 172 bird"...)
5. Finally, should all else fail, you can use the references links below to look up the bird, but I'd use that only as a last resort!

Kidding aside, this post isn't making fun of real bird pros - those folks have got game... It's just a tease for the backyard birders and soon-to-be "Birding Experts".

Don't forget our promo code, or our photography contest...

See you by the feeders,

CapeCodAlan

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