Identify Birds in Flight

Introduction

Identifying birds in flight can be a challenging but rewarding experience for birdwatchers. With practice, careful observation, and a few techniques, you can learn to accurately identify flying birds based on their size, shape, flight pattern, wing shape, and other characteristics.

Birding by sight takes patience and concentration. But with a good understanding of the basics, even beginning birders can successfully identify common birds in flight. This guide covers everything you need to know to get started with identifying birds on the wing.

Spotting Birds in Flight

The first step is noticing birds in flight and visually tracking them. Here are some tips for spotting flying birds:

• Scan the skies: Make a habit of looking up and visually scanning the skies around you. Moving your focus from treetops to telephone wires and poles increases your chance of noticing birds.
• Focus on movement: Flying birds will catch your eye with their motion against the stationary backdrop of sky, trees or structures. Train your eye to notice flickers of movement.
• Follow flight paths: Flocks of birds often follow the same flight lines. Make note of these and watch them closely to catch sight of flying birds. Waterways, ridgelines and shorelines are productive flight paths.
• Watch for take-off: Keep an eye on trees, fields, wires and poles. You may catch a bird right as it takes flight, making identification easier. Take note of the location to watch closely for more fly-outs.
• Choose optimal timing: Early mornings and late afternoons tend to be most active times for flying birds. Time visits to known birding spots around these peak activity periods.

Identifying Birds on the Wing: Size and Shape

Two key factors for identification of flying birds are their overall size and shape in flight. Carefully observing these can allow you to narrow down possibilities.

Size

Focus on the bird’s overall dimensions in flight. Is it large, small or medium sized? Some guidelines for common sizes:

• Large: Geese, ducks, hawks, eagles, vultures, gulls. Over 2 feet long with wingspan over 40 inches.
• Medium: Crows, doves, pigeons, swallows, blackbirds. 1-2 feet long with wingspans around 20 to 40 inches.
• Small: Sparrows, warblers, finches, wrens, chickadees. Under 6 inches long with wingspans up to 20 inches.

Use landmarks like trees or buildings to gauge scale and gain perspective on the size. With practice, you’ll develop a mental scale for comparing flying birds’ sizes.

Shape

Study the bird’s shape and silhouette. Notice the proportions of the body, wings, tail and neck.

• Stocky or streamlined: Stockier, thick-bodies indicate ducks and geese. Streamlined shapes suggest swifts and swallows.
• Wing shape: Long, broad wings suggest soaring raptors like hawks. Short, pointed wings indicate woodpeckers. Rounded wings are seen on passerines.
• Tail shape: Long, narrow tails typify swallows. Short, wide tails suggest grouse. Fanned tails signal raptors. Notched or forked tails indicate some songbirds.
• Neck length: Geese have short necks in flight. Herons fly with necks folded back. Swans extend long, graceful necks.

With practice analyzing size and shape, you can categorize flying birds into general groups before considering other details.

Observing Flight Patterns and Behavior

Flight patterns and flying behavior offer more clues for piecing together an ID of birds aloft. Compare characteristics like:

Flight style

• Direct, purposeful flight: Many songbirds exhibit direct, flapping bursts. Woodpeckers and doves also fly this way.
• Erratic, fluttering: Quick darts and fluttering indicate some small birds like chickadees. Can also signal injured birds.
• Soaring, gliding: Hawks, eagles and vultures soar on air currents, wings held stiffly. Gulls also glide and soar frequently.
• Undulating: Loons exhibit an up-and-down flight style low over water. Similar undulating flight in woodlands suggests a grouse.
• High flying: Very high, circling indicates possible raptors scanning for prey. Swifts also fly extremely high.

Speed

• Fast, rapid wing beats: Examples are hummingbirds and swallows.
• Slow, lazy flapping: Herons flap slowly. Gulls have slower wing beats with glides.
• Wind-aided speed: Birds can reach fast speeds when aided by tailwinds. Note wind conditions.

Flocking or solitary

• Flocks: Starlings flock together. Seeing a large, moving flock indicates possible blackbirds or grackles.
• Pairs: Migrating ducks and geese often fly in pairs.
• Solitary: Raptors like eagles fly alone. They may be joined by mates during breeding season.

Analyzing Wings

Wing placement and shape offer valuable clues to identification. With good binocular views, compare:

Wing position

• Straight, flat wings: Characteristic of many diving birds like terns and pelicans. Also typical of gulls, vultures and eagles soaring.
• Diagonal, upturned wings: Seen in smaller perching birds. The leading wingtip angles above the trailing wing, creating a strong flick.
• Pulled-in, closed wings: Indicates powerful, direct flight in pigeons, mournful doves and woodpeckers. Wings stay tight to the body.

Underwing pattern

• Dark underwings: Many swallows exhibit dark underwings, like Tree Swallows and Barn Swallows. Watch for contrast against pale breasts.
• Pale wing linings: Hawks, eagles and vultures hold wings in a dihedral shape, revealing pale underwing linings. This can identify them even from below.
• Translucent: Wings of swifts appear translucent and slender when viewed against the sky.
• White stripes: White stripes along undersides of wings helps confirm Killdeer in flight.

Wingbeats

• Slow, deep beats: Required for large birds like swans and cranes to stay aloft. Herons flap slowly too.
• Fast, shallow flaps: Hummingbirds have extremely fast, blurred wingbeats. Chickadees flutter quickly.
• Erratic: Irregular, uneven flapping may indicate a struggling or injured bird. Healthy flight shows steady, rhythmic beats.

Focusing on Field Marks

When a bird is close enough, individual field marks become visible and quite helpful for identification. Useful ones to focus on include:

Plumage color patterns

• Wing patches: White patches at the base of wings help identify Ring-billed Gulls. Ruddy Ducks have black patches.
• Breast patterns: Cinnamon underparts help distinguish a Northern Harrier hawk while a sharp contrast signals Pileated Woodpeckers.
• Belly patterns: A dark breastband separates a white belly on Ring-necked Pheasants in flight.
• Back patterns: White stripe down the back is characteristic of Downy Woodpeckers.

Head patterns

• Crown: White crown on the head confirms Bald Eagles, even from below. A dark cap points to chickadees.
• Throat: Rusty orange throat patches help identify a Cooper’s Hawk.
• Eye line: White eye stripes signal a possible Savannah Sparrow. A dark mask through the eyes suggests a Common Grackle.

Beak shape and color

• Curved: Curved bill shapes indicate shorebirds like sandpipers and plovers.
• Heavy and conical: Large, triangular bills typify diving birds like grebes.
• Stout and seed-cracking: Finches have short, conical bills for cracking seeds while flying.
• Long and pointed: Long, pointed bills help identify terns, herons and hummingbirds.

Tail patterns

• White outer tail feathers: Visible when the bird spreads its tail, signaling dark-eyed Juncos, flickers and others.
• Tail banding: Banded tail pattern helps distinguish a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in flight.
• Notches: Notched or forked tail shape indicates an adult Swainson’s Hawk.

Listening for Clues

The sounds birds make while in flight can provide verifying clues about their identity. Listen for:

• Call notes like the descending whistle of a White-throated Sparrow
• Alarm calls like the harsh “jeeb” of a Blue Jay
• Rattling and drumming sounds of woodpeckers
• Song snippets from vocal birds like orioles and meadowlarks
• Honking of waterfowl like geese and whistling of ducks in flight

Any vocalizations associated with the flying bird will help cement the ID or at minimum, narrow down possibilities.

Tools and Techniques

Equipping yourself with some key tools and techniques will improve your chances of positively identifying birds aloft. Helpful approaches include:

Binoculars

A good pair of binoculars is essential for magnifying key field marks while keeping a moving bird in sight. For flying birds,
8x or 10x binoculars with a wide field of view work well.

Spotting scope

A tripod-mounted spotting scope offers even greater magnification at long distances. The wide field of view helps keep fast-moving birds in sight.

Birding apps

Use bird ID apps like Merlin Bird ID or eBird Mobile to input location, size, color patterns and behaviors. This generates lists of likely species possibilities to cross-check.

Flight behavior resources

Reference books, charts, videos and articles detailing bird flight styles and wing shapes build your knowledge base for in-flight ID.

Photography

Photograph flying birds when possible. Review photos later to study field marks. Share photos with experts for help confirming difficult IDs.

Identifying Specific Birds in Flight

Let’s look at some common types of birds and what to focus on to identify them while in flight:

Hawks, Eagles and Vultures

Key traits: Broad, rounded wings held in slight dihedral; large size; effortless soaring and gliding; often circling high

Examples:

• Red-tailed Hawk: Look for reddish tail; check when soaring – belly band separates dark breast and light head
• Bald Eagle: Massive, dark bird; white head and tail; yellow beak; flat wing posture
• Turkey Vulture: Widespread large, dark bird with dihedral wings; rocking flight style; silvery wing undersides

Geese and Ducks

Key traits: Flocks flying in V-formation; slower wing beats with quicker tempo; stretched neck; often associated honking or whistling calls

Examples:

• Canada Goose: Large with black head and neck with white throat patch
• Mallard Duck: Look for pale blue wing patches on males; purple-blue wing color on females
• Wood Duck: Long tail with white pattern; pointed tail contrasts with round wings

Shorebirds

Key traits: Rapid wing beats; erratic flight patterns with quick turns; skinny bills; muted brown or gray plumage; often near water

Examples:

• Spotted Sandpiper: Look for conspicuous white wingbars during flight; bold white spots on belly
• Killdeer: Listen for “kill-deer” call; watch for bright orange rump and double breast bands
• American Avocet: Black and white body with very long, thin, upturned bill

Swallows

Key traits: Fast, darting flight; pointed wings; tiny bills; very small sizes; aerial insects compose diet

Examples:

• Barn Swallow: Deeply forked tail; blue back with cinnamon belly; frequent in open areas
• Tree Swallow: Glittery dark blue-green back; white belly; found near water
• Bank Swallow: Look for brown back band between white throat and belly

Woodpeckers

Key traits: Stiff up-down flight pattern; short bursts between trees; long pointed bills; stiff tails; undulating flight

Examples:

• Red-bellied Woodpecker: Grayhead and back with barred black-and-white wings
• Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: White stripe down black folded wings; yellow belly
• Northern Flicker: Flashy black and white wings; long pointed bill; yellow or red underwings

Gulls and Terns

Key traits: Broad pointed wings; lighter on their undersides; slender bills; buoyant gliding flight; coastal regions

Examples:

• Ring-billed Gull: Dark eye smudge; yellow bill with black ring; adult has white triangular tail
• Caspian Tern: Largest tern; thick coral bill; broad wings with dark outer primaries
• Common Tern: Orange bill with black tip; gray upperparts; notched tail

Advanced Identification Methods

With experience, you can utilize some additional advanced tactics to confirm IDs of difficult birds in flight:

Size estimation

Having an accurate sense of a bird’s true size eliminates many possibilities. Combine your best size estimate with knowledge of expected species.

Flock composition

Note what types of birds are travelling together in a flock. This narrows possibilities by habitat preferences and expected associations.

Behavior analysis

Carefully assess behavior beyond just flight style. Does the bird dangle its feet, soar higher when circling, or plunge-dive for prey? These behavioral clues provide more context for each sighting.

Range maps

Consider whether the bird is within its documented range. If far outside expected range boundaries, re-evaluate the ID as it may be a rare visitor or closely related lookalike species.

Study historical data

Consult checklists and historical sightings data for the location and date. This gives insight into what birds should be present at the time and place observed.

Challenges of Identifying Flying Birds

While scrutinizing flying birds can lead to satisfying identifications, there are challenges to correctly ID’ing birds aloft:

• Only a brief period to observe key field marks
• Many important features obscured from typical angles
• Difficulty accurately judging relative size and shape
• Lighting conditions alter apparent coloration

Due to these limitations:

• Expect a higher percentage of unidentified flying birds than perched
• Get comfortable noting basic size, shape, behavior and other basics
• Take lots of notes to review and discuss possible IDs afterwards

Develop reasonable expectations. Identifying every bird in flight takes significant skill. Building familiarity with common profiles will steadily improve your abilities.

Tips for Improving at Identifying Flying Birds

Identifying birds on the wing takes dedicated practice. Some techniques for improving your in-flight bird ID skills include:

• Practice observing as many birds flying as possible. Exposure and repetition builds knowledge.
• Photograph flying birds whenever possible and review pictures to study shape and markings.
• Watch flying bird flocks carefully and try to identify at least some individuals to species.
• Focus on family group profiles as well as individual species distinctions.
• Learn flight styles, flocking behaviors, wing shapes and other basics to recognize.
• Quiz yourself on silhouettes of flying birds and try to rapidly ID samples.
• Accept that you will not identify every bird in flight, especially at first. Allow some ambiguity.

FAQs about Identifying Birds in Flight

How can I quickly improve at identifying flying birds?

The best ways to quickly improve are to frequently observe flying birds, read and watch visual guides, take photos to review key marks, and accept that you won’t identify them all immediately. Build familiarity with the most common birds in your area first.

What are the best tips for getting clear views of flying birds?

Choose optimal lighting, focus on birds silhouetted against the sky, use binoculars and track birds patiently in a smooth motion. Skywatching on high points facing water just after sunrise is ideal.

Do all flying bird species soar and glide?

No. Birds like ducks, pheasants, quail, woodpeckers, cuckoos and doves rely mostly on flapping flight and do not soar. Raptors, vultures, pelicans, swifts and swallows incorporate extensive gliding. Gulls and terns use both flapping and gliding flight.

What are some shortcuts for identifying flying water birds?

For ducks, note size, head shape, wing coloration and whether paired or in flocks. With gulls, check out wing postures and tip patterns. Pelicans fly with tight formation in lines and sync wing beats.

Should I invest in expensive camera equipment to photograph flying birds?

A basic DSLR or mirrorless camera with a 70-300mm zoom lens is adequate to photograph flying birds to review and study. Lightweight binoculars are still preferred for initial observation and tracking in the field.

Conclusion

Identifying flying birds by sight alone offers an exciting challenge for passionate birders. By learning to recognize shapes, flight styles, field marks and behaviors, even novice observers can positively identify some birds aloft. Arm yourself with the right knowledge, tools and practice to take your in-flight bird identification skills sky high!

The key is developing a search image for the most likely species in your area through dedicated field time observing take-offs, landings, flocks, flight lines and feeding behaviors. With improved observational skills and an understanding of the key characteristics to focus on, you’ll be identifying birds on the wing in no time.