How to Identify Wild Birds in Georgia

Birdwatching is excellent year-round in Georgia. The state's climate makes it possible to observe a large number of species, since the warm weather associated with Georgia's placement in the Deep South translates into many northern species overwintering there. The Georgia Ornithological Society has 409 different bird species listed that observers have verified either live in or pass through the state. With a complete field guide to Georgia bird species, you can identify a great many of them.

Things You'll Need

  • Field guide to birds of Georgia
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Instructions

    • 1

      Take a journey to the Atlantic Coast of Georgia to find and identify shore birds. Try to differentiate the various types of gulls, terns, petrels, shearwaters, cormorants and pelicans you will undoubtedly observe in the skies, in the water and on the beaches. Use your guide to recognize species such as the laughing gull, with its black feet, legs and head.

    • 2

      Survey the cattle pastures of Georgia for wading birds such as the cattle egret. The small farm ponds that dot these open areas are perfect places to spot the long legged cattle egret, a 20-inch tall white long-legged bird that catches frogs and small fish in the water. You may also find and identify birds like the great blue heron, snowy egret, American bittern and green heron.

    • 3

      Remember that Georgia has a healthy bird of prey population. Raptors such as the red-shouldered hawk, red-tailed hawk, osprey, Cooper's hawk, swallow-tailed kite and merlin all feed on such creatures as rodents and small reptiles in Georgia. These birds differ in size, behavior and color patterns, factors that allow you to identify them with the use of your guide.

    • 4

      Look for the state bird of Georgia on the ground, scratching amongst the dry leaves on forest borders in search of insects and other food. The state legislature designated the brown thrasher for this honor in 1935. It is almost a foot in length and has a brown body with a white breast mottled with brown spots. Identify it by these features as well as its curved bill.

    • 5

      Search the fields and edges of woodlands for the northern bobwhite, Georgia's popular game bird. These quails live throughout the state, with the middle part of Georgia their largest stronghold. Remember that they typically live in groups called coveys, with the young following behind the mother.