One thing you cannot help in this world is seeing birds. They’re everywhere. Look up, look down, go to the ocean, the mountains, the desert, or the forest and it doesn’t matter; you will see birds.

The result of this avian abundance is the sheer diversity of even the most common species in your area. Start writing down the birds you see in an average month and you will easily identify twenty or more species. Because of migratory patterns, many locales may see as many as 300 different types in a year. All you have to do is pay attention.

Beautiful, fascinating birds are everywhere in startling numbers. You see them everyday. Once you decide that you would like to be able to identify them, it happens — you’re a birder!