Wildlife Identification

Identifying animals accurately is a skill that improves with experience. It can be difficult, especially when you must observe quickly or when the differences between animals are subtle. Sometimes the difference between animals in the same species is only the size of their ears or distinctive coloring. Scat and tracks provide additional clues for identifying species.

Many resources are available for learning about wildlife. Good sources are books, television shows featuring hunting and nature topics, and websites such as that of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

Wild animals are generally divided into five groups:

• Large mammals
• Small mammals
• Upland birds
• Waterfowl
• Rare, protected, or endangered species

Other wildlife groups are wetland birds and birds of prey.

Bald Eagle

Whooping Crane