How to Know Birds
How to Know Birds
by Gary Snyder
The place you’re in
The time of year
How they move and where in the meadows,
brush, forest,
rocks, reeds, are they hanging out
alone or in a group or little groups?
Size, speed, sorts of flight
Quirks. Tail flicks, wing-shakes, bobbing
Can you see what they’re eating?
Calls and songs?
Finally, if you get a chance, can you see
their colors,
details of plumage–lines, dots, bars
That will tell you the details you need to
come up with a name
but
You already know this bird.