Links

Useful Birding Links (Field-Tested by Bird Nerds)

Welcome to my digital stash of birding resources: the apps I actually use, the databases I trust, and the organizations doing real work for birds. Whether you’re learning to ID your first sparrow (bless) or you’re deep into your “is this a Thayer’s or not?” era, these links will help.

Note: I only include resources that are reputable, widely used by birders, and updated regularly. If you’re new, start with the “Best Beginner Tools” section and you’ll be in good shape.

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Jump to a section

• Best Beginner Tools
• Bird ID Guides & References
• Bird Sounds & Song ID
• Where to Bird (Maps, Hotspots, Migration)
• Science, Conservation, & Data
• How to Help Birds
• Pacific Northwest Favorites
• Kid-Friendly & Classroom Resources
• Binoculars & Gear Learning
• Community & Bird Nerd Culture

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Best Beginner Tools

If you only bookmark a few things, make it these. They’ll cover ID, sightings, and “what’s making that noise?” moments.

• Merlin Bird ID (Cornell Lab) — Photo ID, sound ID, and guided bird packs. Extremely beginner-friendly.
• eBird (Cornell Lab) — Track your sightings, explore hotspots, and see what’s being reported near you.
• All About Birds (Cornell Lab) — Clear species profiles, range maps, life history, and ID tips.
• Audubon Bird Guide — A solid reference with photos, ranges, and seasonal info.

Bird ID Guides & References

When you want to go beyond “small brown job” and into actual confidence, these references help you level up.

• Cornell Lab of Ornithology — Research, education, and bird resources from one of the world’s most trusted bird science hubs.
• Avibase: The World Bird Database — Taxonomy, checklists, and global bird data (nerd heaven).
• IUCN Red List — Conservation status and threats for species around the world.
• Birds of the World (Cornell Lab) — Deep species accounts (often subscription-based), excellent for research dives.

Bird Sounds & Song ID

Birds are basically flying instruments. These tools help you match the music to the musician.

• Xeno-canto — A massive, global community archive of bird recordings.
• All About Birds Species Guide (Audio) — Many species pages include songs/calls and ID notes.
• Macaulay Library (Cornell Lab) — The world’s largest scientific library of bird media (photos, audio, video).

Where to Bird (Maps, Hotspots, Migration)

Want to know what’s in your area right now? Or where a species goes in winter? Start here.

• eBird Explore (Hotspots & Recent Sightings) — See what’s being reported near you and where to go next.
• eBird Status & Trends — Abundance maps and seasonal movement (excellent for “when should I look?” questions).
• BirdCast (Migration Forecasts) — Migration predictions and radar-based research (especially fun during spring/fall).
• The Nature Conservancy — Places to Explore — Find protected areas and conservation lands (great for trip planning).

Science, Conservation, & Data

For when you want receipts. (Same.)

• Audubon — Climate & Birds — Climate science and bird range shifts explained for normal humans.
• World Migratory Bird Day — Conservation focus, educational materials, and events.
• USGS Bird Banding Laboratory — Bird banding science and data (U.S.).
• U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service — Migratory Birds — Policies, conservation programs, and species info.

How to Help Birds (Practical, Not Performative)

You don’t need to be a biologist to help birds — you just need a few high-impact habits.

• American Bird Conservancy — Cats Indoors — The single most effective way to prevent bird deaths at home.
• American Bird Conservancy — Bird-Safe Windows — Prevent window strikes (a major cause of bird mortality).
• Why Native Plants Help Birds (Audubon) — Plant choices that support insects, which support birds. Food web magic.
• Bird-Friendly Coffee (Audubon) — Your morning brew can support habitat conservation. Yes, really.

Pacific Northwest Favorites

A little regional love for my fellow moss-and-salt-air birders.

• BirdWeb (Seattle Audubon + Partners) — PNW species info, ID tips, and conservation notes.
• Seattle Audubon — Classes, local birding, and conservation work in Washington.
• Bird Alliance of Oregon (formerly Audubon Society of Portland) — Education, wildlife rehabilitation, and advocacy in Oregon.
• Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife — Wildlife info, regulations, and habitat resources.
• Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife — Wildlife info, seasons/regs, and conservation programs.

Kid-Friendly & Classroom Resources

For curious kids, teachers, and adults who still get excited about feathers (correct).

• Cornell Lab — K–12 Education — Free lessons and activities for bird science and nature learning.
• Audubon — Get Outside — Beginner-friendly birding activities and guides.
• National Wildlife Federation — Wildlife Guide — Friendly species overviews and nature education.

Binoculars & Gear Learning

No, you don’t need to spend a mortgage payment to enjoy birding. But it helps to know what to look for.

• Audubon — Binocular Guide — How to choose binoculars (magnification, objective lens, and what it all means).
• Binocular Basics (B&H Category Hub) — Helpful filtering + specs if you’re comparing models.

Community & Bird Nerd Culture

Birding is better when you’ve got people to share “you will NOT believe what I just saw” moments with.

• r/birding (Reddit) — Field stories, ID help, and the occasional binocular discourse.
• iNaturalist — Community nature observations; great for learning and contributing data.
• BirdForum — Old-school (in a good way) community with deep ID threads and trip reports.

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Suggest a Link

Have a resource you love? Send it my way and tell me why it’s useful. I’m especially interested in regional birding orgs, accessibility-friendly resources, and conservation groups doing measurable work.

Stay curious, stay kind—and if a bird poops on you today, take it as a sign of good luck.