How to identify birds, even when they don’t tell you their names

Read the bird’s name when it is not looking. Wait patiently outside any birding convention and you are sure to catch a coveted glimpse of the handwritten Sharpie sign. Write down your findings as quickly as possible. Then all that remains is to locate the bird translator to decode it. What is the best way to find a good bird translator? As with most crafts, word of mouth!