To accompany a manual of bird study/Outline for Observing a Bird

by William Henry Carr

Outline for Observing a Bird

(Underscore the words which describe the Bird)

1.

Date

2.

Name of bird

3.

Where is the bird seen: Woods, border of woods, open field, trees or bushes along fences, roadside, of stream, marsh, pond or lake, garden, orchard, out buildings.

4.

Compare the size of the bird with that of the crow, robin, or the English sparrow.

5.

Its most striking colors are: Gray, slate, brown, black, chestnut, white, blue, red, yellow, orange, green, olive.

6.

Does it show flash colors when flying? If so where and what color?

Wing	Rump
Tail	Under tail

7.

In action is it: Slow and quiet or active and nervous?

8.

Does it occur alone or in a flock?

9.

In flying does it go: Straight and swift, dart about, up and down, wave—like, flap the wings constantly, sail or with wings steady, flap the wings and then sail?

10.

Describe its song or call note.

11.

Where does it sit when singing?
Does it sing while flying?

For Closer Observation

12.

Colors and markings of:

Breast	Wing	Tail
Top of head	Eye streak	Back

13.

Is the bill: Slender and long, short and thick, medium, curved, hooked?

14.

Is the tail: Forked, notched, square, rounded?

The following questions should be answered from observation, if possible: if not, the answer may be found consulting bird books.

15.

What is the food of the bird and how obtained?

16.

Where does the bird spend the winter?

17.

Describe the nest, where placed, how far from ground, how supported, of what material is the outside made, how lined? The color and number of eggs.

18.

How are the young fed and cared for? The color of plummage of the young birds.

19.

Is this bird beneficial to us, and if so, how and why?