Birds are experts at hiding in branches, tall grasses, and dense foliage. They move fast, they blend in, and often they’re active at dawn or dusk – times when visibility isn’t great. That’s where thermal imaging comes in. These devices detect heat instead of light, making it possible to spot birds even when they’re deep in cover or when the lighting conditions are not great.

Let’s walk through the basics of bird identification and how thermal imaging tools can make those first steps into birding not only easier, but more fun as well.

Getting started: what you need to begin birdwatching

You don’t need a full kit of advanced gear to start birding, but having the right essentials will make your experience far more enjoyable and productive.

1. Basic bird knowledge

Before heading out, familiarize yourself with the common bird species in your area. Use a field guide, mobile app or even regional birdwatching websites. Knowing what species you’re likely to encounter helps narrow your focus and trains your eye (and ear) for what to look and listen for.

2. Notebook or birding journal

Tracking what you see is one of the best ways to improve your skills. Note the date, time, location, behavior, weather and include any identification guesses. Over time, you’ll build a useful personal reference.

3. Binoculars or spotting scope

These are classic birding tools for a reason. Once you’ve spotted a bird, binoculars or a spotting scope lets you study its plumage, posture, and movement in detail – especially helpful when confirming species.

4. Thermal optics: an extremely powerful advantage

Thermal monoculars and binoculars, like the Axion Compact, Telos or Merger LRF, detect the heat signatures of birds, making them visible even when they’re hidden in thick foliage, perched in shaded branches, or active during early morning or twilight hours.

Unlike traditional optics, thermal devices help you find birds before you can see them with the naked eye – which is especially useful for beginners still learning how to tune in visually.

For example, spotting a Eurasian Woodcock at dawn might take patience and luck – unless you have a compact Axion in hand. With a thermal device, the bird’s heat signature stands out clearly through low light and ground cover, giving you a solid starting point.

A simple step-by-step to identifying birds

1. Spot the bird

This is often the hardest part. With a thermal device like the Axion Compact you can quickly scan tree lines, open meadows, or dense shrubs for movement. Its wide field of view helps you pick up birds that would otherwise go unnoticed, even in low light or thick cover.

What to look for:

• General size and shape
• Movement patterns – hopping, gliding, fluttering
• Group behavior – solo bird or flock?

2. Watch the behavior

Now that you’ve found the bird, focus on what it’s doing.

• Does it hover like a kestrel?
• Is it flicking its tail like a wagtail?
• Is it climbing a tree trunk like a nuthatch?

Often, behavior is more reliable than plumage – especially when lighting is poor or  species are similar. A device like the Telos, with its sharper resolution and zoom, makes it easier to observe these behavioral cues even at greater distances.

3. Listen closely

Many birds are easier to identify by sound than sight.

Use a birdsong app to match calls and songs. And here’s a bonus: with thermal optics, when you hear a bird but can’t see it, you can now track its location visually by its heat signature – even if it’s hiding deep in the branches.

4. Record or take notes

All Pulsar Wildlife thermal imaging tools have integrated photo and video recording which lets you document what you see without disturbing the wildlife and stream your view in real time. This can be incredibly helpful later on when trying to ID a bird you weren’t sure about in the moment.

Also, keeping a simple log – date, time, location, behavior, possible ID – helps you learn faster.

5. Cross-check with a guide or app

Match what you saw and heard to an app or a local bird book. Filter by your region and season to narrow the list.

For example, if you saw a medium-sized bird hopping on the forest floor at dusk in Northern Europe, thermal helped you find it, but your field guide helps you determine it was likely a Song Thrush, not a Fieldfare.

Bonus: use the right tool for your birding style

• On-the-move and prefer to travel light? Go with the Axion Compact XQ30 Pro or XG30 for quick scans and easy portability.
• Looking for fine detail or distance? The Telos XG50 or XL50 give you sharp, zoomed-in visuals.
• Birding for hours or with others? The Merger LRF XP35 or XL50 offer binocular-style comfort and better depth perception – perfect for longer sessions or group work.

Ready to start your birding journey?

Bird identification is a skill that grows with time, patience, and the right tools. As a beginner, the process can feel overwhelming, but thermal imaging gives you a clear head start. Whether you’re scanning treetops at dawn or listening for movement in dense brush, having a Pulsar thermal device by your side helps turn guesswork into discovery.