Which bird am I game?

Birds are amazing creatures that come in all different shapes, sizes, colors, and behaviors. With over 10,000 species of birds in the world, it can be tricky to identify a specific bird just by looking at it. Bird watching is a fun hobby for people of all ages, but it does require some knowledge about the key features and traits of different bird species in order to tell them apart. Playing a “which bird am I” guessing game is a great way to test your bird identification skills in a fun and interactive way.

How to play the which bird am I game

The which bird am I game can be played with at least two people, although the more people involved, the more fun and challenging it becomes. One person thinks of a specific bird species and gives the other players clues about the bird’s appearance, behavior, habitat, diet, or other characteristics. The other players try to guess the identity of the mystery bird based on the verbal clues provided. Here are some example clues you could give:

• I have bright red feathers on my head
• I build large nests high up in trees
• I am able to mimic human speech
• I migrate long distances every year
• I can dive underwater from great heights to catch fish
• My feathers are blue, black, and white

As more clues are given, the players can ask strategic yes or no questions to narrow down the possibilities. For example: “Do you live near water?”, “Are you larger than a pigeon?”, “Do you have webbed feet?”. The first person to correctly guess the identity of the mystery bird becomes the next clue giver. To add variety, you can play multiple rounds with different bird categories like backyard birds, tropical birds, birds of prey, waterfowl, etc.

Bird field guides and resources

In order to play the which bird am I game well, it helps to study up on bird identification and behavior using field guides and online resources. Here are some recommended books and websites to improve your bird knowledge:

• The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of North America – comprehensive guide with detailed illustrations and information
• National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America – well-organized with helpful comparison charts
• Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America – classic field guide with clear photos and maps
• Merlin Bird ID app from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology – assists with bird identification via photos
• AllAboutBirds.org from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology – covers feeding, nesting, appearance, range maps, and bird songs/calls
• eBird.org – database of user-submitted bird sightings and birding hotspots

You can also visit local nature centers, bird sanctuaries, zoos, and aviaries to observe different bird species up close. Paying attention to key identification markers like beak shape, plumage patterns, wing shape, tail shape, and overall size will help improve your identification abilities.

Bird identification tips and tricks

Here are some helpful tips and techniques for identifying birds more accurately when playing the which bird am I game:

• Look at the bird’s silhouette and overall body shape/proportions
• Note the shape, size, and coloring of the beak
• Pay attention to plumage colors and wing patterns
• Check for distinctive markings like eye rings, stripes, neck collars, etc.
• Consider the bird’s posture, manner of sitting/standing, flying style
• Listen for distinctive songs, calls, or alarm sounds
• Note the bird’s location and habitat
• Look for behavior clues like feeding style, movement patterns, socializing
• Use size comparisons to other known birds
• Cross-reference with a field guide

Sometimes identification comes down to subtle differences like the angle of a stripe through the eye, length of a tail, or organization of color patches. The more practice you get, the easier it becomes to hone in on the key field marks. Birding also involves a lot of listening to vocalizations which can be even more telling than visual clues.

Common backyard birds

For beginners, it’s good to start by learning some of the most common backyard birds you’re likely to encounter in your area. Here are some of the birds seen frequently at feeders and in yards in North America:

There are numerous free bird identification apps you can download to your smartphone to help you recognize frequently seen backyard species. Audubon Bird Guide, iBird Pro, and Merlin Bird ID are highly rated options.

Unique bird adaptations

One fun way to play the which bird am I game is to focus on unique adaptations that different bird species have evolved for their environments and lifestyles. For example:

• Owls have specialized feather adaptations that allow near-silent flight for hunting.
• Woodpeckers have stiff tail feathers and sharp claws that help brace them against tree trunks.
• Pelicans have expandable throat pouches to scoop up fish.
• Hummingbirds have long needle-like bills perfectly shaped for nectar-feeding.
• Hawks and eagles have hooked beaks for tearing meat and powerful talons for capturing prey.
• Herons have long necks ideal for snatching fish.
• Ducks have waterproof feathers and webbed feet for swimming and diving.
• Songbirds like thrushes have complex vocal organs allowing them to sing elaborate songs.

Paying attention to how a bird’s physical and behavioral traits are suited to its survival needs can offer useful clues for identification. You can encourage game players to think about how form matches function when coming up with mystery bird options.

Categories of birds

To mix up game play, try organizing rounds around specific categories of birds. Here are some ideas:

• Songbirds – warblers, thrushes, finches, sparrows, blackbirds
• Birds of prey – hawks, eagles, falcons, owls
• Waterfowl – ducks, geese, swans
• Wading birds – herons, egrets, cranes
• Shorebirds – sandpipers, plovers, gulls, terns
• Woodpeckers – downy, hairy, red-bellied, pileated
• Corvids – crows, ravens, jays, magpies
• Parrots – parakeets, macaws, cockatoos, lorikeets
• Backyard birds – chickadees, nuthatches, titmice, juncos
• Endangered birds – California condor, whooping crane, ivory-billed woodpecker

You can make the game more challenging by using less well-known species within a given category. Learn about species diversity within bird families to become a true bird expert!

Bird watching field trips

One of the best ways to improve your bird identification abilities for the game is to get out in the field and observe birds in their natural habitats. Visit local parks, nature preserves, wetlands, and other birding hotspots to see what species are in your area. Some great spots for beginners include:

• Audubon wildlife sanctuaries and nature centers
• National wildlife refuges
• State parks and forests
• Nature conservancy lands
• Green spaces in cities and suburbs
• Botanical gardens and arboretums
• Reservoirs, lakes, and rivers
• Coastlines and beaches

Search for birding trails, important bird areas, and bird sanctuaries near your location. Pack binoculars, a zoom lens camera, and a field guide and spend time observing birds in their natural state. Seeing birds first-hand will really improve your identification skills.

Online bird cams

If you can’t easily get outside to go birdwatching, consider using online bird cams to get a close-up look at various bird species from the comfort of your home. Many nature organizations and zoos have live-streaming cameras focused on bird nests, feeders, and habitat areas, allowing you to observe their day-to-day behaviors. Some good online bird cam sites include:

• Cornell Lab Bird Cams
• National Aviary Bird Cams
• San Diego Zoo Bird Cam
• Vancouver Aquarium Bird Cams
• Explore.org Bird Cams
• Audubon Bird Cams

Viewing birds online in real-time is an easy way to study details like feather patterns, body structure, flocking dynamics, feeding and nesting habits, vocalizations, and interactions between species. Let the cams run in the background while you work to absorb more bird knowledge.

Bird watching gear

Having the right gear will make your bird watching adventures more enjoyable and rewarding. Here is some must-have equipment for birders:

• Binoculars – Allow you to view birds up close; 8x or 10x magnification is ideal
• Spotting scope – Gives even closer views, especially for stationary birds far away
• Field guide – Helps you identify species; Peterson and Sibley guides recommended
• Notebook – Record sightings, behavior, location to reference later
• Birding app – Apps like Merlin ID by Cornell Lab confirm bird species
• Camera – A zoom lens helps capture birds in detail
• Bird feeders – Attract birds to your yard for easy watching
• Bird bath – Gives birds a spot to drink, bathe, and congregate
• Nest boxes – Provide safe nesting sites for cavity-nesters like chickadees

Some other handy items include a birding vest to hold small gear, a hat or visor to block out glare, hiking boots for walking trails, camping chair for long observation sessions, and layered clothing for varied weather conditions.

Attracting birds to your yard

One of the best ways to observe and learn birds is to attract them right to your own backyard. Use these tips:

• Offer bird feeders with black oil sunflower, nyjer thistle, and suet
• Include a diversity of feeder styles like hopper, tube, platform, and suet feeders
• Provide a fresh water source with a birdbath or small pond
• Incorporate native plants, trees, and shrubs that offer berries, seeds, nectar, cover
• Let dead trees safely stand to provide nesting cavities
• Avoid using pesticides which reduce insects birds rely on for food
• Set up nest boxes suited to your area’s bird species
• Keep cats indoors to protect birds

By creating an inviting backyard habitat, you can observe resident and migrating species season after season right outside your window. Don’t forget to have your field guide and bird ID app handy.

Fun variations of the game

To add some extra challenge and variety to the basic which bird am I game format, try incorporating rules like these:

• Limit clues to physical appearance only or behavior only
• Disallow questions, players guess blindly from clues
• Set a timer for players to guess within a time limit
• Have clue giver make bird calls instead of stating clues
• Play charades style with acting out clues instead of talking
• Give a letter/number hint about the bird name as the first clue
• Assign point values to birds and keep score
• Play in teams and have teammates confer before guessing
• Use photo or audio clues instead of verbal ones

Changing things up keeps everyone engaged and makes the game more replayable. Come up with your own creative twists to the rules too!

Make your own bird watching bingo

If you really want to motivate everyone to sharpen their bird ID skills, you can create custom bingo cards and play bird watching bingo as a group activity. Here’s how:

1. Make bingo cards with 25 squares and fill with names/photos of local birds
2. Print cards on cardboard and give to each participant, with marker chips
3. Go out birding together as a group in a park or nature area
4. When someone spots a bird on their card, they mark that square
5. First to fill a row or diagonal shouts “Bingo!” and wins

This get everyone equally engaged in finding and identifying birds. Make multiple unique bingo cards so players don’t all have the same layout. You can also play elimination style, taking a called bird off your card until only one card remains.

Conclusion

Birds have captivated humans with their colorful beauty, soaring flights, enchanting songs, and intriguing behaviors since the beginning of time. Birdwatching provides a way to tap into the natural world through observing these remarkable creatures up close. Plus, identifying species gives your brain a workout!

Playing the which bird am I guessing game with family and friends is one of the most engaging ways to practice your bird identification skills. Start by learning common backyard birds, study field guides to absorb key identification points, get outside to see birds first-hand, and quiz each other on your growing knowledge. With over 10,000 bird species in the world, you’ll never run out of new and intriguing birds to discover.

Happy birding!