What Did I Just See?

A male Downy Woodpecker. This photo was serendipitously sent to me as I was writing this piece.

“I saw a bright red bird with a yellow beak,” a friend once said to me. I didn’t have to do much scanning of my mental database to know that no such bird exists in the West, but I didn’t tell him that—ok, maybe a Summer Tanager could look like it has a yellowish bill, but the chances of him seeing this species in Salt Lake City were very slim. I tried to walk him through what he actually saw. “Where did you see it?” He told me that it was in an urban park. “How big was it in comparison to a robin?” I asked, knowing that mostly everyone knows an American Robin. He told me it was about the same size. “What was it doing when you saw it?” He said that it was picking through a grass lawn. After about five minutes of back and forth, and some sharing of pictures, it turned out that he had seen a European Starling, whose iridescent feathers must have given off a reddish hue in the right angle of sunlight. It’s difficult to describe birds when one doesn’t have much experience doing so, and when the sighting takes place without the aid of binoculars. I love the challenge of trying to solve these identification puzzles, and it brings me great joy that the non-birders in my life are taking the time to actually see birds.

Among friends, family, and coworkers, I have become the guy that answers all the bird questions. I hope that all these folks learned about my passion, and are starting to notice birds more due to my influence. I love seeing that people are so curious about what they’re just beginning to notice, and that they’re bringing questions back to me. I’m always happy to answer.

Recently, my coworker told me she had seen some birds while visiting family in the Midwest, and wanted to know what they were. She sent me a blurry photo of an overall brown bird, with a black mask, streaked chest, and a waxy yellow tip to its tail. She had found a pair of just-fledged Cedar Waxwings that were out learning how to forage.

Another coworker asked me about gigantic gray birds that she had seen feeding in a nearby farm field. My first guess was Sandhill Crane, so I sent her a link from allaboutbirds.org, and she said it was a match. Since then, she’s been noticing other species near her home, and relaying her sightings to me.

A different friend told me she had a neighborhood hawk. When she sent me a photo that she had taken of it perched on a neighbor’s roof, I saw a big buteo (the genus of hawks that soar) with a white chest, brown bib, and a white throat. I was a little surprised that she had a beautiful Swainson’s Hawk hunting the backyards of her neighborhood. This species is typically seen in broad, open fields that are full of their favorite food source—grasshoppers.

For the folks that start looking more earnestly, but are not quite birders, I suggest the Merlin app. This is a great entry point, since it can identify birds by a photo; by a sound recording taken through the app; or by walking you through a key that will suggest likely species based on the location, habitat, color, size and shape that you input. Merlin is free, and is a valuable tool for birders of all skill levels (I use it all the time).

It’s unfortunate when I see pretentious birders that scoff at beginners, and are unwilling to help, as if they didn’t start somewhere themselves. Something as simple and beautiful as watching birds can be cutthroat and unwelcoming to those new to the pastime. These attitudes have plagued birding likely since its beginning. How much I know about bird ID, or how many species I have on my life list will never take precedence over getting others excited about birds. Many birders hold my point of view, don’t worry. They don’t give a hoot about competing with others, and will gladly share their knowledge as well; if you’re just getting started, I hope your run into one of us first.

There are birds all around us, whether you live among thick slabs of concrete, deep in a big city, or are located in a rural area with nature right out your back door. Hang a cheap bird feeder outside of your window, and see what comes to you. While driving through the country, notice hawks and eagles that are sitting on fence posts or power poles, peering down, looking for an unsuspecting vole. Listen for birdsong at your city park, or on a hike. Even the most common birds, like pigeons, House Finches, House Sparrows, and European Starlings can be beautiful when you’re noticing them for the first time. Start by learning what’s common, then keep an eye out for other species that you don’t recognize. Use Merlin, or me as a resource. Get excited about birds, and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out and ask. I would be thrilled to answer, and it makes my day to hear that someone else in the world is enthusiastic and curious about a bird that they spotted.