I'm new to birding. Can you help me get started?

Absolutely! You don't need to know anything about birds before you walk through our door.

Whether you've just noticed your first interesting bird outside the kitchen window, want to learn the names of the birds visiting your feeders, or are ready to pick up a pair of binoculars and head out on the trail, we're happy to help.

We can help with bird identification, choosing binoculars and field guides, learning what birds you might see around Colorado Springs, finding local places to go birding, and connecting with other resources in the birding community.

There is no test, no required level of knowledge, and no such thing as a silly bird question. Birding starts with noticing a bird and wanting to know more about it.

 

Can you help me identify a bird?

Absolutely! Bring us a photo if you have one, even if it isn't a great photo. A blurry picture can sometimes tell us more than you might think!

If you couldn't get a photo, tell us what you remember. Size, shape, color, markings, behavior, habitat, location, time of year, and even the sounds you heard can all provide clues.

We're always happy to help with bird identification, and if we don't immediately know the answer, we're pretty happy to have a bird mystery to solve.

 

Is there an app that can help me identify birds?

Yes! One of our favorite resources is Merlin Bird ID, a free app from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Merlin can help identify birds using a series of questions, photos, and even sounds. Its Sound ID feature can listen to the birds around you and suggest possible matches, making it a fantastic tool for learning bird songs and calls.

It's especially useful when you're beginning to notice just how many birds you can hear that you never actually see.

Apps are wonderful tools, but they aren't infallible. Think of an identification as a suggestion to investigate rather than a guarantee, especially when identifying unusual birds.

 

Where are the best places to go birding in Colorado Springs?

We're fortunate to have some fantastic birding opportunities throughout Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region.

Where you should go depends on what you'd like to see, the season, how far you want to travel, and what kind of trail or experience you're looking for. From neighborhood parks and open spaces to wetlands, grasslands, foothills, and mountain habitats, you can experience an incredible variety of birds without traveling very far.

Stop in and tell us what kind of birding adventure you're looking for. We're always happy to talk about local birds and places to find them.

 

How can I learn what birds are being seen around Colorado Springs right now?

Bird populations change constantly with migration, weather, and the seasons, so what's being seen around Colorado Springs today may be quite different from what you'll find a few months from now.

Birding apps, local birding groups, community reports, and conversations with other birders can all help you keep up with what's around.

And, of course, you can always ask us! One of the benefits of being a local bird store is that customers are constantly telling us what they're seeing, from the first hummingbird of spring to an unusual visitor that suddenly appeared at a backyard feeder.

 

Do you offer birding classes or educational events?

Yes! Education is a big part of what we do.

Throughout the year we host and participate in educational programs, presentations, bird walks, special events, and opportunities to learn more about birds, wildlife, conservation, and the natural world.

Topics and events change throughout the year, so check our current event calendar or follow us on social media to see what's coming up.

Many of our events are free or low-cost because we believe learning about birds and nature should be accessible to as many people as possible.

 

Can someone from Wild Birds Unlimited speak to my school, club, or organization?

Yes! We love sharing our enthusiasm for birds and nature with the community.

We may be available for educational talks and presentations for schools, classrooms, clubs, community groups, and other organizations. Topics can vary depending on your group and what you'd like to learn about.

If you're interested in arranging a presentation, contact us at [email protected] and tell us a little about your group, audience, and what you have in mind.

 

Do I need to be an experienced birder to attend your events?

Not at all! We want our events to be welcoming to everyone.

Birding is supposed to be enjoyable. You don't need expensive equipment, a life list, or years of experience to participate.

Beginners are always welcome.

 

Do you support accessible and inclusive birding?

Yes! We believe birds and nature should be accessible to everyone.

People experience nature in many different ways and with different abilities. Birding doesn't have to mean hiking miles down a difficult trail. It can happen from a bench, a window, a backyard, a vehicle, an accessible trail, or simply by listening.

We are proud to support Birdability and its work to help make birding and the outdoors more accessible and inclusive.

We also believe there's no single "right" way to enjoy birds. If watching a chickadee at your kitchen window brings you joy, you're birding.

 

Can you recommend birding resources around Colorado Springs?

Absolutely! One of the advantages of visiting a locally owned bird store is that we can connect you with more than products.

We can help point you toward local birding organizations like Aiken Audubon Society, field guides, birding apps, accessible birding resources, conservation groups, educational programs, local events, and places to explore.

We're also happy to connect people with organizations doing great work in our community. Birding becomes even more rewarding when it leads to learning about the habitats, conservation efforts, and people helping protect the birds we enjoy.

 

Do I have to be a customer to ask you a bird question?

Absolutely not.

You don't need to buy bird seed, own a feeder, or purchase anything at all to come in and ask us questions!

Bring us your photo. Tell us about the strange sound outside your window. Ask what kind of hawk is hanging around your neighborhood. Ask where you might find a particular bird or how to get started birding.

We may be a retail store, but education is part of who we are. If we can help someone learn something new about a bird, appreciate the wildlife around them, or feel more connected to nature, that's a pretty good day at Wild Birds Unlimited!