How to ID a Bird Carcass: Field Marks & Techniques
Found a dead bird and want to know the species? Learn how to identify a bird carcass using feathers, bill shape, feet, size, and habitat clues.
Know every bird you see
47 expert birding tips guides on Tally Birds. Practical advice, care tips, and in-depth articles for hobbyists.
Found a dead bird and want to know the species? Learn how to identify a bird carcass using feathers, bill shape, feet, size, and habitat clues.
Do ospreys get poisoned by pufferfish tetrodotoxin? Explore the science of raptor toxicology, osprey diet, and why this fish-eating hawk is likely unharmed.
Heard an unidentified bird sound? This guide identifies the most common mystery bird sounds in North America by pitch, pattern, and habitat — with expert tips and apps.
Spot a mystery bird in San Jose, CA? Identify the 12 most common species — from Anna's Hummingbird to Great Blue Heron — with field marks, habitats, and tips.
Wondering what migrating birds you're seeing? Identify warblers, sparrows, thrushes, shorebirds & raptors with this expert field guide for all skill levels.
Heard a mysterious bird sound at night? Learn how to identify owl calls — Great Horned, Barred, Screech-Owl, Saw-whet — plus non-owl sounds often mistaken for owls.
Learn how to tell a bird's age using plumage, eye color, bill color, molt patterns, and behavior. Expert tips for aging common North American birds.
Learn how to get birds away from your house using humane, effective deterrents. Covers the top 5 problem species, legal considerations, and proven removal tips.
Spotted an owl and wondering what species it is? Use our visual identification guide to identify 10 common North American owls by size, markings, and call.
Discover why pigeons at your bus stop fly in swirling, synchronized patterns — the science of flock behavior, predator avoidance, and swarm intelligence explained.
Wondering what hawk you just saw? Identify the most common North American hawks by size, shape, tail color, and behavior with this expert visual guide.
Blue Jays spread on the ground, following females in groups, or screaming hawk calls? Discover 7 puzzling Blue Jay behaviors that are NOT mobbing — fully explained.
Trying to identify a sparrow seen in Idaho? This guide covers 15 common Idaho sparrow species with field marks, habitat, calls, and tips to tell them apart.
Trying to identify a bird in South Carolina? This guide covers the most common SC birds by appearance, habitat, song, and behavior — from backyard feeders to coastal marshes.
Trying to identify a bird you spotted in Wyoming? This guide covers the 12 most common and most misidentified Wyoming birds by habitat, with field marks, calls, and tips.
Wondering what a hummingbird is doing? From torpor to courtship dives, this guide explains every common hummingbird behavior and how to identify the species.
Wondering what bird you just saw in San Francisco? Identify the most common SF birds by appearance, habitat, and behavior — from hummingbirds to falcons.
Trying to identify a bird in Malaysia? Discover the most common Malaysian birds by color, size, habitat, and call — with expert ID tips for each species.
Wondering what a wren is doing? Learn to decode cocked tails, singing, nest-building, and more across all 11 North American wren species.
Wondering what bird your cat is watching on Cat TV? Identify all 10 common species — cardinals, jays, chickadees, and more — with this quick visual guide.
Birds disappeared from your feeders? Learn exactly how to get your birds back with expert tips on food, habitat, predators, and seasonal patterns.
Wondering about a strange mark on your hummingbird's belly? Learn what spots, colors, streaks, and patches mean — from plumage to pollen to parasites.
Juvenile dark-eyed juncos look nothing like adults — streaked, buffy, and sparrow-like. Learn why young juncos appear 'wrong' and how to identify them confidently.
Spot a mystery bird in your yard? Learn how to identify common backyard birds like the Northern Cardinal, tell look-alikes apart, and find out if your bird is rare.
Can you guess these bird calls? Test your knowledge with 10 iconic North American bird sounds — from the cardinal's whistle to the loon's haunting wail.
Wondering what a northern flicker is doing in your yard? Learn to identify its ground-foraging, drumming, courtship, and other fascinating behaviors.
Wondering how to pronounce pileated woodpecker? Both PIE-lee-ay-ted and PILL-ee-ay-ted are correct. Learn why, plus ID tips, habitat, diet, and birding advice.
Is it pileated woodpecker or pileated woodpecker? Both spellings are the same — the real debate is pronunciation. Learn how to say it, ID it, and find it.
Learn what a Hairy Woodpecker is: key field marks, how to tell it from a Downy Woodpecker, habitat, diet, feeder tips, and conservation status.
Discover why it's called a sharp-shinned hawk — from its blade-like leg bone to its nicknames. Plus ID tips, habitat, diet, and migration facts.
Found a baby robin on the ground? Learn whether it needs help, how to tell fledglings from nestlings, and exactly what to do — and not do — to keep it safe.
Swollen eyes, bald head, or lethargic behavior in a House Finch? Learn the most common causes, from eye disease to molting, and what you can do to help.
Discover why the hairy woodpecker got its unusual name, from its wispy back feathers to its Latin species name villosus — plus ID tips, habitat, and feeder advice.
Wondering what a fluffy, puffed-up Blue Jay is doing? Learn the top reasons Blue Jays fluff their feathers — from staying warm to illness — and when to be concerned.
Blue jay looking different than usual? Learn why Blue Jays vary by age, molt stage, and season — plus look-alike species, plumage science, and ID tips.
Your complete bird watching guide to Costa Rica — 930+ species, top birding sites, identification tips for quetzals, macaws, toucans, and more.
Learn how to catch all three Galarian Legendary Birds — Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres — with proven strategies for Pokémon Sword, Shield, and Scarlet/Violet.
Learn how to catch birds in Dinkum with step-by-step trap placement, bait tips, and biome guides — plus real-world facts on Australian birds featured in the game.
Learn how to draw birds using John Muir Laws's observation-based method. Field marks, gesture sketching, species examples, and nature journaling tips.
Learn how to draw a bird easy with step-by-step tips for robins, chickadees, and cardinals. Master simple shapes, anatomy, and color blocking for beginners.
Learn how to get bird droppings off your car without damaging the paint. Step-by-step methods, best products, and prevention tips from detailing experts.
Learn how to get Bird Game 3 — the Ruffed Grouse. Full guide to identifying, finding, and observing North America's ultimate upland game bird in the wild.
Discover what house finches are hearing — from song dialects and alarm calls to feeder chatter. Plus ID tips, habitat, diet, and conservation facts.
Wondering what a tanager bird looks like? Discover the colors, markings, and field marks of all 4 North American tanagers with our expert identification guide.
Learn how to draw bird drawing step by step using the American Robin as your guide. Covers proportions, plumage, field marks, and artist observation tips.
Wondering why does this robin look like that? Discover why robins look so different — juveniles, females, molting adults, leucistic birds, and more explained.
Wondering how to get bird feed in Heartopia? This complete guide covers seed types, feeder setup, top bird species, placement tips, and seasonal feeding advice.