Attracting/Finding Birds

Bird photographers have a simple rule for aspirants: do your research. Don’t waste your time setting up a bird blind in a location or time that the birds do not frequent. Instead, determine what types of birds you want to see and do your research. Where does they nest? What do they eat? Are they skittish or do they like crowds? What are their active periods? Are they migratory? The more you know about the birds, the better you will be at finding and photographing them.

 

If you would rather have the birds come to you than have to go look for them, use bird feeders, birdbaths, and birdhouses. Keep the birdhouses separate from the feeders and baths, but place them near windows and keep an eye on what types of birds frequent your yard. At the same time, take some practice pictures to get used to photographing moving animals.

 

The final rule of attracting birds is simply to not scare them away. Be quiet and still. If you are approaching a bird, walk slowly and stop frequently. Act uninterested, avoid eye contact, and walk in a general direction rather than directly towards the bird. Finally, have your camera ready before you get close to the bird; the slightest reach for a camera lens might startle the bird.