A Beginner’s Guide to Birdwatching
How to Start Birding
Birding is one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to connect with nature. You don't need a lot of gear or experience to begin—just curiosity, a few tips, and a place to start looking and listening.
Quick Start Steps
Look and listen for movement in trees, skies, and water. Observation is your first superpower.
Start at home, your local park, or a nearby trail—birds are everywhere, even in cities.
A pair of binoculars and the Merlin app can instantly boost your experience.
Apps like eBird let you log your sightings and join the global birding community.
Why Birding Is for Everyone
Birding meets you where you are. Whether you’re a kid with a backyard feeder or a traveler with a camera, birds offer moments of joy, wonder, and stillness in every environment.
Where to Start Birding
Start close to home: your backyard, a neighborhood pond, or the nearest park. Birds follow habitats—trees, grass, water—and once you tune in, you'll see more than you imagined.
Best Tools for Beginner Birders
See our binocular recommendations and explore our starter photography gear. Most importantly, download Merlin Bird ID and try the Sound ID feature—it’s like Shazam for birds.
Watch the Merlin App in Action
How to Track What You See
eBird lets you log your sightings, build your life list, and explore birds being seen around you. Watch for our eBird tutorial (coming soon).
Top Tips for New Birders
- Focus on shape, size, and behavior more than color.
- Don’t worry about getting it right—just start noticing.
- Use your ears. Birds often reveal themselves by sound first.
- Bird your way. It’s not a test, it’s an adventure.