Use Bird Anatomy and Shape to Identify Birds
To distinguish among bird family groups and species, birders use the five keys to bird identification, to first include the size and shape of a bird’s overall body and individual parts. From the size and shape of a bird’s foot to its bill, bird features can tell us a great deal about the habitats in which they’re found, the kinds of foods they eat, and the family groups under which they’re classified. In this workshop, Christa talks about how to recognize this key to bird ID, with some helpful tips and tricks for narrowing down the list of possible birds and achieving a positive identification.
Organizer
Christa Rolls is an Avian Ecologist and Conservation Biologist who loves birds and connecting others with their passion for birding. She started her career in avian ecology in Southern Indiana in 2012, and since then has had the opportunity to work on various projects in the Pacific Northwest, Germany, and, currently, California monitoring bird populations and behavior to help inform management decisions. Christa is also on the Board of Directors for Ecostudies Institute, a non-profit organization based in the Pacific Northwest that conserves wildlife and their habitats through science, restoration, and outreach. Most recently, in September 2020, she founded Birding Tools and hosts the Birding Tools Podcast, which breaks down all aspects of beginning birding, from finding the right pair of binoculars to learning how to find birds in the field.