Birding Tools
Merlin Bird ID, an app developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, is a very helpful tool when trying to identify birds. It is free to download and make an account.
It has an extensive sound library, and can be used as a sort of bird song Shazam.
If you see a bird that is not singing, or you are recalling a bird seen in the past, there is a step by step quiz which takes into account
the location of the bird
its size and plumage
its behavior
Then it will suggest a few birds that are the most likely species.
Merlin Bird ID
Fill in your best guess about the bird’s size
Then add in the colors of the bird’s feathers
Merlin will suggest birds which are in your area and fit the description you entered
Bird Field Guides
The Sibley Guide is excellent, with hand-painted illustrations
Sibley does an excellent job of describing behaviors
This is an excellent guide beyond birding - it has superb illustrations of plants, bugs, mammals, and more