Unlike ornithologists who observe and study birds using more formal and scientific method, commoners engage in bird watching mainly for recreational and social reasons with the help of a binocular and an experienced field guide. Field guides are an essential part of bird watching as they provide valuable information about the habitats, birding sites, maps showing range of different birds, the time and the venue where they migrate at a particular season, and which bird creates which sound and what are they known as. Goods guides are also acquainted with the knowledge of seasonal color changes of similar appearing bird species. These guides also help in identifying the locale as well as migrated species due to the variation in their anatomy. Knowledge about birds topography and their range maps helps to identify and locate which birds lives in which part . The national bird of India is the Blue peafowl (Pavo cristatus).
The most ideal time for birding in the area having temperate climate is during the spring or fall when the greatest variety of migrated birds may be witnessed. At these time large numbers of birds travel north or south to wintering or nesting locations. Observing birds early in the morning is a better way to find them active and vocally impressive. According to the location and season, certain sites such as the local patch of forest, wetland and coast may be favored as a birding site.
Best sights for bird watching in India:
India and most of the South Asian countries are famed world-wide as the birds paradise. Almost 1200 species of birds are commonly found in India. In India 13 bio-geographical regions are demarcated for birding namely Trans Himalayan, Western Himalayas, Eastern Himalayas, Desert, Semi-arid, Gangetic plain, Central India, Deccan Plateau, Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, North East, Coasts and the Andaman Nicobar Islands.
Some of the prominent sanctuaries in India are as follows:
Bharatpur bird sanctuary, Rajasthan
Nawab Ganj Bird Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh
Porbandar Bird Sanctuary, Gujarat,
Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary and Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary in Kerala
Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Goa
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Karnataka
Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary, Kolleru Bird Sanctuary and Manjira Bird Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh
Karnala Bird Sanctuary and Nandurmadhmeshwar Bird Sanctuary, Maharashtra
Dos and Don'ts of bird watching:
Every year large number of people involve themselves in bird watching which in turn creates an impact on birds and on their habitats. Due to this kind of risk , its become mandatory to strictly follow some kind of bird watching etiquette. Some bird watching etiquette are as follows:
Avoid stressing of birds by limiting the use of photography and playback devices.
Always maintain a safe distance from nests and nestling colonies and respect the private colonies.
Promote the welfare of birds and their environment.