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Bird Study
Bird Study
Merit Badge
Scouting America Merit Badge Hub
Requirement Updates 2026
This Merit Badge’s Requirements have recently been updated in 2025 Scouting America Requirements (33216). Please read more about “Requirements” on the Merit Badge Hub homepage. The previous version of the Merit Badge requirements can be found in Scoutbook.
Bird Study
Merit Badge Overview
Birds are among the most fascinating creatures on Earth. Many are beautifully colored. Others are accomplished singers. Many of the most important discoveries about birds and how they live have been made by amateur birders. In pursuing this hobby, a Scout might someday make a valuable contribution to our understanding of the natural world.
Bird Study
Merit Badge Requirements
The previous version of the Merit Badge requirements can be found in Scoutbook
The requirements will be fed dynamically using the scout book integration 18
NOTE: The official merit badge pamphlets are now free and downloadable HERE or can be purchased at the Scout Shop.
1.
Explain the need for bird study and why birds are useful indicators of the quality of the environment. Describe how birds are part of the ecosystem.
Resources: Why Are Birds Important (video)
Why Birds Matter (video)
Resources: Why Are Birds Important (video)
Why Birds Matter (video)
2.
Show that you are familiar with the terms used to describe birds by doing the following:
- (a)
Sketch or trace a perched bird and then label 15 different parts of the bird.
Resource: How to Draw and Label a Bird (video) - (b)
Sketch or trace an extended wing and label six types of wing feathers.
Resources: Bird Wing Anatomy - Underside (video)
Bird Wing Anatomy - 2 (video)
3.
Demonstrate that you know how to properly use and care for binoculars, a spotting scope, or a monocular.
- (a)
Explain what the specification numbers mean on binoculars, a spotting scope, or a monocular.
Resource: Selecting Your First Binoculars for Birdwatching - the 5 Things You Need to Know (video) - (b)
Show how to adjust the eyepiece and how to focus for proper viewing.
Resources: How To Get Crystal Clear Focus With Your Binoculars (video)
How To Use Binoculars For Bird Watching - A Beginners Guide! (video) - (c)
Show how to properly care for and clean the lenses.
Resource: How to Clean Your Binoculars (video) - (d)
Describe when and where each type of viewing device would be most effective.
Resource: What's the Difference-Spotting Scope vs Binoculars for Birdwatching (website)
4.
Demonstrate that you know how to use a bird field guide. Show your counselor that you are able to understand a range map by locating in the book and pointing out the wintering range, the breeding range, and/or the year-round range of one species of each of the following types of birds:
Resources: How to Use a Field Guide (video)
Merlin Bird ID (app)
Resources: How to Use a Field Guide (video)
Merlin Bird ID (app)
- (a) Seabird
- (b) Plover
- (c) Falcon or hawk
- (d) Warbler or vireo
- (e) Heron or egret
- (f) Sparrow
5.
Observe and be able to identify 20 species of wild birds. Prepare a field notebook, making a separate entry for each species, and record the following information from your field observations and other references.
Resource: How to Keep Birding Records in a Field Notebook (video)
Resource: How to Keep Birding Records in a Field Notebook (video)
- (a) Note the date and time.
- (b) Note the location and habitat.
- (c) Describe the bird's main feeding habitat and list two types of food that the bird is likely to eat.
- (d) Note whether the bird is a migrant or a summer, winter, or year-round resident of your area.
6.
Describe to your counselor how certain orders of birds are uniquely adapted to a specific habitat. In your description, include characteristics such as the size and shape of the following:
- (a)
Beak
Resources: A Beginner's Guide to Bird Beaks (video)
Bird Feeding Adaptations: How Beaks Are Adapted to What Birds Eat (video) - (b)
Body
Resources: Adaptations in Birds - What Makes a Bird Suitable to Fly (video)
Bird Adaptations for Flight Explained (video) - (c)
Leg and foot
Resource: AMAZING Bird Feet! (video) - (d)
Feathers/plumage.
Resources: Discover the Hidden Genious of Bird Feathers (video)
Why Peacocks Have the MOST STUNNING Feathers in Nature? (video)
How Penguin Feathers Are Perfect Adaptations for Icy Water (video)
7.
Explain the function of a bird's song. Be able to identify five of the 20 species in your field notebook by song or call alone. Explain the difference between songs and calls. For each of these five species, enter a description of the song or call, and note the behavior of the bird making the sound. Note why you think the bird was making the call or song that you heard.
Resources: 25 Iconic Bird Sounds (video)
Two Types of Communication Between Birds: Understanding Bird Language Songs and Calls (video)
Resources: 25 Iconic Bird Sounds (video)
Two Types of Communication Between Birds: Understanding Bird Language Songs and Calls (video)
8.
Do ONE of the following:
- (a) Go on a field trip with a local club or with others who are knowledgeable about birds in your area.
- (1) Keep a list or fill out a checklist of all the birds your group observed during the field trip.
- (2) Tell your counselor which birds your group saw and why some species were common and some were present in small numbers.
- (3) Tell your counselor what makes the area you visited good for finding birds.
- (b)
By using a public library, the internet, or contacting the National Audubon Society, find the name and location of the Christmas Bird Count nearest your home and obtain the results of a recent count.
Resources: Christmas Bird Count (video)
What Is the Christmas Bird Count? Everything You Need to Know (video) - (1) Explain what kinds of information are collected during the annual event.
- (2) Tell your counselor which species are most common, and explain why these birds are abundant.
- (3) Tell your counselor which species are uncommon, and explain why these were present in small numbers. If the number of birds of these species is decreasing, explain why, and what, if anything, could be done to reverse their decline.
- (c)
Participate in a bird banding program with an approved federal or state agency, university researcher, bird observatory, or certified private individual.
Resource: Introduction to Bird Banding (video) - (1) Explain who is able to band birds and why.
- (2) Explain why birds get banded.
- (3) Explain what kinds of birds get banded.
- (4) Tell how the birds were captured, the number of bird species recorded during your visit, and your role in the program.
9.
Do ONE of the following. For the item you choose, describe what birds you hope to attract, and why. Describe the necessary maintenance required with the item that you choose.
- (a)
Build a bird feeder and put it in an appropriate place in your yard or another location.
Resources: DIY How to Make Bird Feeder for $2 EASY 3 Hanging Styles Birds LOVE (video)
Easy D.I.Y Bird Feeder - How to Attract Birds to Your Garden (video) - (b)
Build a birdbath and put it in an appropriate place.
Resources: How to Pick (or Build) the Right Bird Bath for Your Garden (video)
Easy DIY Bird Baths for Your Garden (video) - (c)
Build a backyard sanctuary for birds by planting trees and shrubs for food and cover.
Resources: How to Create a Bird Friendly Backyard (video)
What Happens When You Create a Bird Sanctuary in Your Backyard? (video)
Attract Backyard Birds With an Ecosystem Approach! (video) - (d)
Build a nest box for a species of your choice using plans approved by your counselor.
Resources: DIY Birdhouse (video)
Build a Bird House for Under $5 in Under 5 Minutes (video) - (e)
Describe the elements of a backyard bird habitat for a given area and draw a plan for one, including lists of birds you hope to attract, appropriate plantings for food, cover, and nesting.
Resource: How to Create a Backyard Bird Habitat | Tractor Supply Co. (video)
10.
Do the following:
- (a)
Explain the differences between extinct, endangered, and threatened.
Resource: How the Endangered Species Act Saved America's Most Iconic Bird (video) - (b)
Identify a bird species that is on the endangered or threatened list. Explain what caused their decline. Discuss with your counselor what can be done to reverse this trend and what can be done to help remove the species from the endangered or threatened list.
Resource: Most Endangered Species & Threatened Species (video) - (c)
Explain how we can address birds that are in decline before they get to an endangered or threatened list. List how we can protect habitat. Identify threats that migratory birds face and how to protect food supply for birds.
Resource: Why Are Migratory Birds In Trouble? (And How Can I Help?) (video)
11.
Identify a non-native bird (introduced to North America from a foreign country since 1800). Describe how non-native birds may become damaging to the ecosystem.
Resources: Top 3 Most Invasive Bird Species in North America (video)
Wings of Kentucky: Invasive Bird Species (video)
Resources: Top 3 Most Invasive Bird Species in North America (video)
Wings of Kentucky: Invasive Bird Species (video)
12.
Discuss the importance of the Leave No Trace Seven Principles and the Outdoor Code as they relate to bird study. Explain how you have followed the Leave No Trace Seven Principles and the Outdoor Code while in natural areas during field observation, specimen collection, and identification.
Resources: Leave No Trace Basics (video)
Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics (video)
Resources: Leave No Trace Basics (video)
Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics (video)
13.
Do ONE of the following:
- (a)
Identify three career opportunities that would use skills and knowledge in Bird Study. Pick one and research the training, education, certification requirements, experience, and expenses associated with entering the field. Research the prospects for employment, starting salary, advancement opportunities and career goals associated with this career. Discuss what you learned with your counselor and whether you might be interested in this career.
Resources: Careers With Birds: Interview With Kim Bostwick (video)
Ornithologist (Bird Scientist) | Career Exploration (video) - (b)
Identify how you might use the skills and knowledge in Bird Study to pursue a personal hobby. Research the additional training required, expenses, and affiliation with organizations that would help you maximize the enjoyment and benefit you might gain from it. Discuss what you learned with your counselor and share what short-term and long-term goals you might have if you pursued this.
Resources: 5 Reasons Why Birding is an Awesome Hobby! (video)
Birding: a Hobby for Everyone (video)
Get the Bird Study Merit Badge Pamphlet
Merit Badge Pamphlets are now free and publicly available. Note: Always check www.scouting.org/skills/merit-badges/all/ for the latest requirements.
Bird Study
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Discover more about
"Bird Study"
If you’re into birding or just know a lot about birds, we have a challenge for you. Take this quiz (and then consider putting that knowledge toward earning your Bird Study merit badge)!
Birdwatching can be a fun pastime. All you need are binoculars and a bird guide to start.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
Binoculars: Look for a pair that is waterproof, is comfortable in your hand and has at least 8x magnification. You can borrow some until you’re ready to buy your own.
A bird guide will help you identify what you’re seeing. There’s information about specific birds, bird families, migration patterns and much more. You could also try a birding app like he Audubon Bird Guide, free for Android and iOS. Visit ebird.org to see which species have recently been spotted in your state.
HEADING OUT
1. Use your bird guide, app or an online resource to research birds you’d like to find in your area.
2. Start in your own backyard, or head to a nearby park with lots of trees and plenty of open space.
3. Find a place to sit or stand that has a good view of everything around you. Look around for birds.
4. Once you spot one, study it. Find the most obvious detail about it. White wings? Yellow markings? Big crest? Write down what you observe, including the bird’s color, size, shape, sounds and habits. You can also try drawing the birds for future reference. Those details will help you identify them. As you spend more time birding, you’ll be able to identify birds more quickly and easily.
5. You’re officially a birder. Keep at it! The more often you go out, the more you’ll discover.
WHY BIRDING?
Birding is one of the country’s fastest-growing hobbies, with more than 65 million Americans actively involved. In fact, many of the most important scientific discoveries about birds were made by amateur birders. Get out there and make your own valuable contribution to science. You can also earn the Bird Study merit badge, by which you’ll identify at least 20 species of wild birds. Find a counselor to get started.
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