I thought it would be fun to study one nature study classification each week  for the rest of spring.  One of our family favorites is birds.

First thing is identification basics.  Check out the sillouettes:

Pay attention to the following:

• body shape
  
• proportions of the head, legs, wings
  
• tail shape
  
• length of the bill

Next, check for field markings:

Pay particular attention to the field marks of the head (beak shape and size) and the field marks of the wing (wing bars/wing patches).

Finally posture, size, flight pattern and habitat.  Thank you Cornell Univesity.  Check out a wonderful website for resources I used today:

 http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/birding123/identify/

Check in each day for more on birding in Manitoba.