Introducing Your Toddler to Local Birds: A Backyard Guide - Part 1

Every region has its own unique winged residents, and helping children recognize and connect with local birds is a great way to begin connecting them to loca nature.  Birdwatching is a simple but engaging activity that can be tailored to any age, whether you’re watching birds from a window or visiting your local park. We’ve brought together some tips to get started! 

Start with Your Backyard/Balcony/Patio

The best place to begin is right at home! Look for birds from your window, balcony, or backyard. Encourage your child to notice the different sizes, colors, and sounds of the birds they see. Even common birds like sparrows, cardinals, or pigeons can spark curiosity.

Ideas for birdwatching: 

• Keep a small notebook or use a free app like Merlin Bird ID to track your sightings.
• Use simple descriptions like “the red bird with the pointy head” or “the little gray bird with a long tail.”
• Make it a game: can you find a bird hopping, flying, or singing? Can you find two birds together?

Morning and Evening Viewing

Birds are most active in the early morning and late afternoon, and are least active around noon. If possible, head outside during these times (we know your little one is up early anyhow!) for the best chance of spotting different species.

Ideas for birdwatching: 

• Listen for bird calls in the morning and try to imitate them together.
• In the evening, look for birds returning to their nests or perching on power lines.

Create a Bird-Friendly Environment

Invite more birds to your backyard by providing food, water, and shelter. This gives children a front-row seat to observing bird behavior! 

Ideas for birdwatching: 

• Set up a bird feeder with sunflower seeds or nectar for hummingbirds. For an easy DIY option, you can spread peanut butter around an empty toilet paper roll and cover it with seeds.
• Add a shallow water dish for drinking and bathing.
• If you have native flowers or shrubs around you, watch to see how they attract birds naturally.

We love this simple way to get little ones interested in the wild world outside their homes. Happy birding! 🐦

Stay tuned for Part 2 of this post, with more fun ideas for your budding bird watcher!