Every birding season there are a lot of frustrated birders, having problems identifying birds. And to think you’re getting out to enjoy nature and have some time to relax. But, learning to identify birds requires the same effort as mastering any other subject. If Malcolm Gladwell is correct about his “10,000-hour rule”, then 10, 000 hours are required birding to become a good birder. After that you know your birds inside out. Let’s say we have four good months of birding and you put in four hours at a time, and can get out two times a week if not retired. That can take 78 years to become an expert. But of course, you can get out in the evening or an hour or two before work. As well, there is some good birding to be had outside the birding season. But, not everyone wants to be an expert, most want enough knowledge to enjoy their walks. Where they are able to identify fair numbers of birds in their local area. Not everyone has enough time to become a good birder, not even a fair birder.
In the end, what I’m trying to convey is that people should go easy on themselves. If you are out there to enjoy the social aspect of birding, then there will always be a limit to how fast you learn. All the good birders I know became so by spending a lot of time alone in the field with a pair of binoculars and possibly a good guide book. I know of one birder friend who could hear the bird, but ended up spending nearly an hour or more trying to see it. He will never forget what LeConte’s Sparrow looks and sounds like for the rest of his life. If you’re birding with a large group, it’s great for socializing, but not ideal for becoming a good birder. In a group, you never end up putting in the time to listen and look at the markings to identify the bird. Someone is always there to help fill in the blanks. Books, apps, websites, and birding groups are great aids for birding. But to get good, you have to spend a lot of time just walking with nature. Either way, have fun, no matter how you want to be birding. The more fun you have, the more you want to be outside. And that’s the most important goal.
