What do you think?
Rate this book
National Geographic Birding Basics: Tips, Tools, and Techniques for Great Bird-watching
Targeted to beginners and beyond, National Geographic’s fun, inspiring guide to the art, craft, and science of bird-watching combines practical know-how and expert knowledge. Browsable and bursting with helpful illustrations and photographs, Birding Basics offers new ideas for when, where, and how to get to know the birds in your world.
Not a field guide but a primer in best practices, authored by birding expert Noah Strycker, this breezy book features easy-to-follow advice on what to look and listen for, how to use field guides and birding apps, the best equipment to start with, and ways to engage with other birders around the world. Filled with fun facts and seasoned advice, this useful book will help you attract birds to your backyard, master bird identification, name a bird by its song, and witness the magic of migration. Sidebars feature fun facts, identification tips, and easy projects for exploring the world on the wing.
For everyone who loves watching the birds, whether out the window or on the trail, this colorful, easy-to-use guide to better birding has everything you need.
Not a field guide but a primer in best practices, authored by birding expert Noah Strycker, this breezy book features easy-to-follow advice on what to look and listen for, how to use field guides and birding apps, the best equipment to start with, and ways to engage with other birders around the world. Filled with fun facts and seasoned advice, this useful book will help you attract birds to your backyard, master bird identification, name a bird by its song, and witness the magic of migration. Sidebars feature fun facts, identification tips, and easy projects for exploring the world on the wing.
For everyone who loves watching the birds, whether out the window or on the trail, this colorful, easy-to-use guide to better birding has everything you need.
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2022
53 people are currently reading
3262 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 23, 2023
This is a good basic book. It provides a good starting point to bird watching as it doesn’t give you too much information but gives a lot of different information to get someone started. There was a lot of different topics, some topics that I haven’t even thought about or cared about but I read through them and I can see why they were included in here. This book is very thorough which is too be expected from National Geographic.
As I have said before, there are a lot of topics covered in this book. Every two-page spread covers a topic and with 239 pages, you have many subjects to read about. On these two-page spreads, you might find some Fun Facts, ID Tips (how to identity tricky birds), or some Try This ideas (ideas for you to try to actually put that two-page spreads topic into reality). There is also an Introduction, Glossary, an Index, some acknowledgements and some information about the author in the back. Throughout the book, you’ll find some two-page spreads scattered about that are titled “In the Field with Noah.” These pages feature Noah’s own pictures with captions of actual footage he has captured out in the field.
I did find some interesting topics while reading this book and I did find myself frustrated, as I wanted more information on a topic but the book was just the basics. I realize I will have to research those topics further, hopefully in another National Geographic book to find more information. I do think this would be a good starting point for someone who thinks they like birds. There is a lot of think about and look at when thinking about birds.
The book talks about 15 terms that they recommend you learn to identify birds, I thought that was interesting. They mention the website BirdCast which uses radar to show the migration forecasts of birds and I think that this would be cool to check out. I know that squirrels hate chili pepper so you can put that in your bird feeder to keep squirrels out but now I know that it’s the capsaicin in the chili powder that the birds can’t taste. I liked the Pronouncing Bird Names pages. The book also mentioned the Merlin Bird ID app that you can download for free to help identify birds, I need to check into that one. I think my grandkids will also like to use that one. There are a few sections devoted to eBird, a free website that helps you track your own bird sightings. The book also lists other websites that might be helpful. See, I told you there was a lot of fun interesting information in this book. One more little piece of information: “ when you see an unfamiliar bird, keep it in view as long as possible and make conscious observations of its characteristics.” Then, before looking it up in a book, write down what you saw. Well, I don’t do that. I grab the book and start looking up the bird as I’m watching it. I’m going to have to change that. As I find myself confused and just like the book says, “it’s easy to see an illustration and suddenly “remember” something you never really noticed.”
The illustrations/pictures are beautiful. Most of the pictures are photos but there are some drawings and models of birds with the different parts of the bird labeled. The realistic photos provide great detail and I think they definitely add to the book.
This is another excellent resource book from National Geographic but just remember, it’s just the basics. It’ll get you started and, on your way, to bird watching. 5 stars.
15 terms to identify birds: Crown, nape, supercilium, lore, auricular, malar, eye ring, wing bar, primaries, secondaries, tertials, rump, undertail coverts, rectrices, and flanks
As I have said before, there are a lot of topics covered in this book. Every two-page spread covers a topic and with 239 pages, you have many subjects to read about. On these two-page spreads, you might find some Fun Facts, ID Tips (how to identity tricky birds), or some Try This ideas (ideas for you to try to actually put that two-page spreads topic into reality). There is also an Introduction, Glossary, an Index, some acknowledgements and some information about the author in the back. Throughout the book, you’ll find some two-page spreads scattered about that are titled “In the Field with Noah.” These pages feature Noah’s own pictures with captions of actual footage he has captured out in the field.
I did find some interesting topics while reading this book and I did find myself frustrated, as I wanted more information on a topic but the book was just the basics. I realize I will have to research those topics further, hopefully in another National Geographic book to find more information. I do think this would be a good starting point for someone who thinks they like birds. There is a lot of think about and look at when thinking about birds.
The book talks about 15 terms that they recommend you learn to identify birds, I thought that was interesting. They mention the website BirdCast which uses radar to show the migration forecasts of birds and I think that this would be cool to check out. I know that squirrels hate chili pepper so you can put that in your bird feeder to keep squirrels out but now I know that it’s the capsaicin in the chili powder that the birds can’t taste. I liked the Pronouncing Bird Names pages. The book also mentioned the Merlin Bird ID app that you can download for free to help identify birds, I need to check into that one. I think my grandkids will also like to use that one. There are a few sections devoted to eBird, a free website that helps you track your own bird sightings. The book also lists other websites that might be helpful. See, I told you there was a lot of fun interesting information in this book. One more little piece of information: “ when you see an unfamiliar bird, keep it in view as long as possible and make conscious observations of its characteristics.” Then, before looking it up in a book, write down what you saw. Well, I don’t do that. I grab the book and start looking up the bird as I’m watching it. I’m going to have to change that. As I find myself confused and just like the book says, “it’s easy to see an illustration and suddenly “remember” something you never really noticed.”
The illustrations/pictures are beautiful. Most of the pictures are photos but there are some drawings and models of birds with the different parts of the bird labeled. The realistic photos provide great detail and I think they definitely add to the book.
This is another excellent resource book from National Geographic but just remember, it’s just the basics. It’ll get you started and, on your way, to bird watching. 5 stars.
15 terms to identify birds: Crown, nape, supercilium, lore, auricular, malar, eye ring, wing bar, primaries, secondaries, tertials, rump, undertail coverts, rectrices, and flanks
November 15, 2022
National Geographic Birding Basics offers an inclusive primer for any budding bird enthusiast or anyone looking to improve their birding knowledge and practice. Birding Basics strives to give you the toolkit needed to get out and appreciate the birds that surround you everyday. This book is a series of easy to read, one-page descriptions beginning at what a birder is and why you should bird, moving to choosing equipment, bird basics, recording your observations, apps to use and birding hotspots. Some sections that I felt were particularly helpful were how to use field guides, popular apps, birding ethics and observation techniques. With a focus of accessibility, fun and finding wonder where we are, Birding Basics welcomes everyone to participate in birding.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
May 16, 2023
What an excellent choice for the beginning birder and a beautiful book for anyone! I love the way it's laid out in its two-page spread on each topic, abd of course, the photos are gorgeous. This book would make a great gift for any birder in your life!
July 18, 2023
Way beyond basics. I loved learning more about birding/birdwatching/birds in this easy to follow guide.
September 4, 2023
I'm just getting started in birding, and if you need more evidence that I am officially middle-aged, my husband got me this for my birthday, and I was ecstatic about his gift choice and promptly devoured it. Who says romance is dead? There are birding books!
Anyways, this was fantastic for me as a beginner. The photography was beautiful, the two-page spread format made it easy for me to pick up and put down as needed, the writing was engaging, and its information was clear, concise, and highly relevant. I especially appreciated its various sections that explained field marks - now I know what my birding app is talking about when it suggests noting a submoustachial stripe, or what features to look for when telling apart different little brown birds. I'm also eager to try out some of the hotspots in my area that I located using resources he recommended.
Anyways, this was fantastic for me as a beginner. The photography was beautiful, the two-page spread format made it easy for me to pick up and put down as needed, the writing was engaging, and its information was clear, concise, and highly relevant. I especially appreciated its various sections that explained field marks - now I know what my birding app is talking about when it suggests noting a submoustachial stripe, or what features to look for when telling apart different little brown birds. I'm also eager to try out some of the hotspots in my area that I located using resources he recommended.
December 5, 2022
I love to watch and feed the birds. Having guidebooks on hand to help me identify the visitors is vital to my learning what birds are joining the fray and can sometimes show when ranges are extending; like when a blue jay showed up at my feeders in Montana!
This is a basic guidebook and perfect for the beginning birder in your life. It offers a breakdown of the various backyard birds and how to identify them as they drop into your yard or the trees in the neighborhood.
Since it’s from National Geographic you will find a lot of bright, beautiful photographs of the birds being featured so as to make identifying them easier. I loved living in Montana as it did afford me the opportunity to see a lot of magnificent birds, like this bald eagle the would regularly sit in the tree on our lot watching the river for a fishing opportunity.
Now that I live in a city my birdwatching is more of the sparrow and cardinal variety but I am not complaining. I love hearing their happy chirps as they visit my feeder and with my guidebook I can easily identify and birds that are new to me. I keep it handy so I can learn as I watch. It would make a great gift for the new birder in your life.
This is a basic guidebook and perfect for the beginning birder in your life. It offers a breakdown of the various backyard birds and how to identify them as they drop into your yard or the trees in the neighborhood.
Since it’s from National Geographic you will find a lot of bright, beautiful photographs of the birds being featured so as to make identifying them easier. I loved living in Montana as it did afford me the opportunity to see a lot of magnificent birds, like this bald eagle the would regularly sit in the tree on our lot watching the river for a fishing opportunity.
Now that I live in a city my birdwatching is more of the sparrow and cardinal variety but I am not complaining. I love hearing their happy chirps as they visit my feeder and with my guidebook I can easily identify and birds that are new to me. I keep it handy so I can learn as I watch. It would make a great gift for the new birder in your life.
August 16, 2023
This is a great choice for someone who is just starting to get out into the bird world.
It has intriguing facts about the birds themselves - getting you excited about them. It has an overview of equipment you need and how to go about choosing what works best for you. It contains information on different ways to start identifying birds and what to look for. It has information on the ethics of birding and how to be a respectful birder. It covers birding as something you do in your backyard and local community, to traveling all over the world. Finally, it has a bunch of other resources and tools you can use as you continue to bird watch including a basic tutorial on the ebird website.
It gives you everything you need to know to get out and start gaining experience in the field.
It has great pictures and the pages are laid out in a way that makes it quick and easy to gather information.
It has intriguing facts about the birds themselves - getting you excited about them. It has an overview of equipment you need and how to go about choosing what works best for you. It contains information on different ways to start identifying birds and what to look for. It has information on the ethics of birding and how to be a respectful birder. It covers birding as something you do in your backyard and local community, to traveling all over the world. Finally, it has a bunch of other resources and tools you can use as you continue to bird watch including a basic tutorial on the ebird website.
It gives you everything you need to know to get out and start gaining experience in the field.
It has great pictures and the pages are laid out in a way that makes it quick and easy to gather information.
November 28, 2022
As with all books published under the National Geographic imprint, Birding Basics is a beautiful book with full-color photographs throughout. It could easily be a coffee table book, but it's soft cover makes it a book that can more easily be used in the field. It is not a field guide, but a primer on birdwatching - where to start, what gear is essential or non-essential but nifty to have, and when the best birding is for various regions.
What I really appreciated was that this book included some useful tips on how to use actual field guides, and even recommended birding apps.
The language is accessible enough for readers of most ages, and I could easily see this book being at the center of family outings.
Goes well with: bottled water and trail mix.
What I really appreciated was that this book included some useful tips on how to use actual field guides, and even recommended birding apps.
The language is accessible enough for readers of most ages, and I could easily see this book being at the center of family outings.
Goes well with: bottled water and trail mix.
April 25, 2023
Outstanding overview of all things bird...
If this book doesn't make you want to get outside and go birding, then NOTHING will. Much more than a birding "how-to", it also covers some basics of ornithology and conservation. Plus it offers some fun anecdotes from the author's exciting birding career. And there are so many beautiful photos...
If this book doesn't make you want to get outside and go birding, then NOTHING will. Much more than a birding "how-to", it also covers some basics of ornithology and conservation. Plus it offers some fun anecdotes from the author's exciting birding career. And there are so many beautiful photos...
January 21, 2025
This is a well-researched book by a very accomplished bird author. There are beautiful pictures and even though it's targeted to new birders, it's very engaging. There were some sections that I found less useful such as keep your cat indoors. My purpose was to develop my birding skills further (identification) though that clearly is not the primary purpose of the book.
November 23, 2022
Very good book about birding and how-to. Has asides with fun tips and facts - including that the American Robin, that bird that seems to be everywhere is a type of thrush! What will it reveal when it knocks three times?
March 30, 2023
Beautiful photos accompany a plethora of information about all things bird. Readers who are new to their interest in birds will have much to digest.Those who are more experienced may learn a few new facts or pointers to assist in their birding hobby.
August 18, 2023
Great practical guide. For a new birder, very helpful info on the eBird app, which has been a bit of a mystery to me. And I learned a new word: Pishing, making an alarm call noise that attracts birds.
September 5, 2023
This is a great reference and intro that provides valuable tips, information about tools, techniques for how to be successful and much, much more!
I really learned a lot from this book, plus found a new app to download, Merlin, to help me be more successful in this area.
I really learned a lot from this book, plus found a new app to download, Merlin, to help me be more successful in this area.
December 7, 2023
Fantastic book for beginners (like myself). The book is filled with practical, short chapters written in an engaging way and sprinkled with fun personal anecdotes here and there. I learned so much, would highly recommend!
December 11, 2023
I have proclaimed myself a birder this year and this book is a great introduction to the calling – er hobby? From what makes a “birder” to equipment, clothing, backyard birding, apps, conservationism, etc. I got from the library and might snag my own copy to reference while I get my feet wet.
February 8, 2024
Beautiful book and a good read. A great book for someone who has just started a hobby in bird watching. I don't aspire to be all-in, 4am waking or trips revolving around spotting birds, but I found this fun and informative, with a few ideas and tips that I will be returning to.
June 4, 2023
This is an excellent primer for a beginning birder!
June 17, 2023
Birds are cool.
September 23, 2023
I listened to this book so missed the illutrations. A very engaging reader and lots of good beginning birder info.
March 16, 2024
changed my life for the better.
April 17, 2024
A pretty interesting read. The author's writing is easy to follow and he has a good sense of humor!
August 18, 2024
Loved it! Learned some new things!
August 14, 2025
General intro into birdwatching tips and culture.
January 4, 2026
I've been birdwatching as long as I can remember but still found this a fascinating read!
My only complaint is that it's completely US based so there's a bit not relevant worldwide.
My only complaint is that it's completely US based so there's a bit not relevant worldwide.
June 4, 2023
This is a wonderful book full of information and beautiful pictures. A great book to give as a gift to a young family so the children can begin a lifelong learning of nature. Good for all ages. Keep it on the coffee table or on a book shelf where it can be read easily.
National Geographic always publishes great reads. The author, Noah Strycker, has written a special book about birds.
Chapter One- Getting Started
Chapter Two- Diversity of Birds
Chapterb Three- How to Identify Birds
Chapter Four- Understanding Birds
Chapter Five- Field Craft
Chapter Six- Birding At Home
Chapter Seven- Go Farther
A 5 star rating.
National Geographic always publishes great reads. The author, Noah Strycker, has written a special book about birds.
Chapter One- Getting Started
Chapter Two- Diversity of Birds
Chapterb Three- How to Identify Birds
Chapter Four- Understanding Birds
Chapter Five- Field Craft
Chapter Six- Birding At Home
Chapter Seven- Go Farther
A 5 star rating.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews