The Technique of Elimination
	• Eliminate as many species as possible. Think about what the bird can’t be before you consider what it can be. • Narrow down your choices by ruling out all birds not found in your area in the season. • Narrow down the order of the bird using habitat and obvious characteristics. • Try to figure out which family the bird belongs to using less obvious characteristics and behaviors. • Decide the species by noticing finer details like field marks and songs.