Every birder, whether just getting started birding or an experienced bird watcher, occasionally has questions about birds, and there are many different people willing to help. On the whole, birders are a welcoming, enthusiastic group of people happy to share their experience and expertise, but who is available to help with different birding questions?

Why We All Need Help

Birds are always changing and able to surprise even the most experienced birders.


Ranges can shift, unexpected plumages may appear and rare vagrants can startle any birder, and both giving and getting help with birding questions is a great way to not only connect with other birders, but also to support birds by knowing the very best information about them. There are thousands of field guides, birding books, blogs and websites eager to share birding knowledge, but one of the best resources birders can take advantage of is to talk to other people who are knowledgeable about birds. But who should you talk to for your birding questions?

Who to Ask When You Need Birding Help

While every person won't be able to answer every question, there is always someone who can help with any birding question – you just have to know who to ask.

• Other Birders
  Birders of all experience levels are a wealth of information about their favorite species, local birding hotspots, favorite optics, preferred field guides and handy backyard birding tips. The advice from a single birder may be biased for their preferences, but asking several birders can reveal useful and thorough information.
   

• Bird Store Owners and Employees
  Many birders patronize specialized nature and birding stores for their birdseed, feeders and other backyard birding supplies, and the owners and most employees at those stores often develop unique and thorough knowledge about the area's birds and what is necessary to create an ideal bird-friendly backyard.
   
• Wildlife Biologists
  Local wildlife biologists who work at established nature preserves and wildlife refuges have intimate knowledge about their local species, as well as seasonal changes such as migration and breeding. Their exact expertise will depend on their focus area and what their individual refuges provide in terms of bird species and habitats.
   
• Bird Rehabilitators
  Both professional and volunteer bird rehabilitators have extensive, intimate knowledge about what ails birds, from illnesses and injuries to helping baby birds. They can also offer advice about how to protect birds from common local threats and problems.
   
• Bird Banders
  Banding birds offers intimate looks at bird anatomy and learning the details about proper bird identification, including distinguishing bird genders, ages and lifespans. Banders can answer questions about all these topics, as well as migration and when birds are best banded.
   
• Hunters
  Hunters who seek out game birds or waterfowl are experts in those types of birds, particularly about their proper identification, preferred habitats and migration patterns. Many hunters are also very aware of conservation issues and how to protect the birds, which is essential to ensure healthy, prosperous hunting stock.
   
• Gardeners
  Birds can be found in any backyard, and even if gardeners aren't deliberately trying to attract birds, they still learn what plants birds do or do not like, including flowers, fruit trees and more. Asking a gardener about their experience can help any birder design a bird-friendly backyard.
   
• Photographers
  Even if photographers aren't interested in bird, they can always offer great advice about cameras and other equipment, as well as the basics of great photography. Those tips can be invaluable for birders who want to create a visual life list or otherwise take pictures of birds.
   
• Volunteers
  Anyone who volunteers with birds will acquire expert knowledge about the birds they work with, whether it is at a wildlife refuge, aviary, rehabilitation facility, nature preserve or animal education center. If they are passionate about their volunteering, they will be equally passionate about sharing the knowledge they have.
   
• Tour Guides
  Professional birding tour guides are intimate experts about local birds and habitats, hotspots, how to arrange birding travel and the best times to see target birds. Be courteous, however, and don't ask a tour guide for a free tour – they may be willing to give a few tips, but they won't necessarily give away all the tricks of their professional trade.
   
• Authors
  Anyone who writes about birds has a degree of expertise about the birds they research and write about in books, magazines, blogs, newsletters and newspapers. Authors may write about just one bird-related topic or a wide range of topics, and they can be great resources to answer birding questions related to their writing.
   
• Falconers
  Falconers use raptors to hunt and often offer educational presentations, and they know a great deal about birds of prey, raptor personalities and similar topics, and can answer nearly any questions about raptors.
   
• Hawkwatchers
  Hawkwatchers are specialized birders who participate in bird counts during hawk migration periods, and they are experts about the raptors they see. Not only can they answer questions about birds of prey, but also about how to count birds and identifying birds in flight.
   
• Zookeepers
  Any zoo with a dedicated bird exhibit or specialized aviary has expert zookeepers on staff who can answer a wide variety of questions about the birds they work with, often exotic tropical species. They may also guide bird shows with question-and-answer sessions all about birds.
   
• Festival Organizers
  Individuals who help organize birding festivals are often local experts for birding hotspots, target species and local specialty birding experiences. They can answer not only questions about the festival, but also about other local birds and birding, as well as how best to make travel plans to visit the region.
   
• Ornithologists
  Dedicated ornithologists are the ultimate bird experts, and are often affiliated with research universities or prestigious positions with wildlife conservation. As such, they're great resources for detailed, difficult bird questions. Wildlife biologists and professionals with similar degrees can also be great people to ask about birds.

How to Ask Birding Questions

While many people may be willing and able to answer birding questions, it is important to remember that not everyone can answer the same questions. Birders who have a question should seek out the most relevant person to ask, and keep their questions brief and specific. It is also helpful to be patient – everyone has many different obligations and commitments, and it may take some time to receive an answer. When that answer comes, however, it will be well worth waiting for the expertise!

Do you have a birding question? Email me to ask!

Photo – Wildlife Biologists Studying Birds © USFWS / Greg Thompson