Things Birds Do! Observing Bird Behaviour for Next Level Shots

Predicting bird behaviour is one of the best ways to stay ahead of the curve and come home with stronger images. It’s not always easy - that whole fight-or-flight thing means birds can change direction in a heartbeat - but closely watching what your subject is doing as it goes about its business is the essential first step.

Keep an eye out for these small but telling behaviours – they might just help you get in a better position and give you a head start on your next favourite shot!

Shorebirds & Waders

Tide-line foraging Shorebirds often feed in a steady rhythm as the tide moves in and out. Outgoing tide is usually the best as it's exposes all those tasty morsels!

Photo tip: Watch their step–probe–step pattern and pre-focus slightly ahead of where they’re heading.

Pause-and-peck Many shorebirds stop for a beat, scan, then jab quickly into the sand or mud. Pausing on one leg is common and a nice pose to catch.

Photo tip: Fire your burst on the “pause” just before the peck to get sharp, clean head positions. Or go for the action shot: wait for the 'grab and toss' as they throw their meal in the air before swallowing it down.

Wave dodging Some species run up and down with each small wave, almost like they’re on rails.

Photo tip: Notice their preferred distance from the waterline and position yourself at that zone before the next wave comes in.

Short feeding loops Birds often work a small patch of shoreline, then loop back to the start.

Photo tip: If they’ve passed you once, stay low and still - they may walk right back into perfect range.

Bathing and shake-off Shorebirds love a quick splash in shallow pools, often following a dipping sequence with a vigorous shake.

Photo tip: Stay locked on after the bath and wait for the shake, with flying droplets. It often makes the best frame.

Watch the wind direction Shorebirds will usually face in the direction the wind is blowing, rather than against it, to conserve extra energy needed for foraging.

Forest & Woodland Birds

Perch-hopping along a line Many small forest birds move through trees in a predictable sequence of favourite perches. Photo tip: Work out their “route” and be ready for them at the cleanest perch with the best background.

Preening station Forest birds often return to the same safe perch to preen. Photo tip: Once you see a bird settle in for preening, you can expect stretches, fluffs and wing lifts in the same spot - This is the time to slow your shutter speed, lower your ISO and get a great quality shot! Don't forget to watch your backgrounds and reposition to remove distractions.

Tail flicking and wing quivering Quick tail flicks and tiny wing quivers can signal agitation or alertness. It can also indicate the bird is uncomfortable with your presence, so keep still and look away to calm the bird. Photo tip: If the behaviour ramps up, and the bird does a little poop, it's about to move so be ready for sudden flight. The bird may not go far, so watch where it lands - might be an opportunity for another shot.

Head-bobbing before movement Some species bob their head just before hopping, calling or changing direction. Photo tip: Observe for a few minutes and see if you can pick a repetition. Use that little bob as your cue to half-press, refocus and be ready for the moment.

Curiosity passes Forest birds often circle you, appearing on different perches to check you out. Photo tip: Stay still and let them come to you - they may offer several chances at eye-level, front-on shots.

Territorial posturing Raised feathers, upright stance and intense staring at another bird are classic “arguments about to happen.” Photo tip: Keep an eye on both birds - the chase or wing-flash usually follows quickly.

High Alert If you hear multiple birds 'raising the alarm' with calling, it's likely there's a bird of prey circling. Photo Tip: Watch and be ready with settings for a BIF opportunity.

Birds of a feather Small birds often hang out together - lots of eyes to look out for potential predators. Don't overlook a more exotic species tucked in with the commoners. Photo Tip: Stay standing, but keep quite still. I find if I avoid movement small birds will almost forget I'm there and possibly come closer.

Waterbirds & Ducks

Birds on the water typically face into the wind: Both to reduce energy expenditure and for stability, which is an important factor for both resting and taking off. Facing into the wind prevents their feathers from getting ruffled and makes it easier to launch into the air, which is a key reason they often do this when ready to fly. 

They also lean into the wind as a method for navigation: Migrating birds, in particular, will often "tack" into the wind at an angle to make progress against the wind, much like a sailboat. Photo Tip: Check wind direction before you go to photograph waterbirds and especially ducks, as it's not much joy when they're all facing the other way!

Feeding circuits on the water Ducks and other waterbirds often follow the same feeding loop around a pond or bay. Photo tip: Watch a full circuit, then pre-position where the light and reflections look best – they’ll likely pass through again.

Head-dipping and diving patterns Many species repeat a set rhythm of dive–surface–shake–look around. Photo tip: Time your shots for the moment they break the surface or shake off droplets.

Bank exits and entries Waterbirds often use the same spots to climb in and out of the water.Photo tip: If you see muddy “paths” or well-used rocks, frame up and wait for a clean walk-out or wing-flap.

Post-bath wing flaps After a vigorous bath, ducks commonly stand up tall and do a big wing flap. Photo tip: After 'dipping under' several times, and soon as bathing slows, be ready - the flap usually comes next and only lasts a second or two.

Take-off and Landings Always a good time for an action shot! Again, it's worth paying attention to the wind direction, as birds will take off and land into the wind to aid flight.

Raptors & Larger Birds

Scanning from a favourite perch Raptors often hunt from the same fence post, tree or power pole. Photo tip: Learn their favourite lookout spots – once they’re settled, you can work on portraits, pre-flight and launch shots.

Crouch and lean before take-off Larger birds usually drop their body weight and lean into the breeze just before launching. And a poop dump to lighten the load is usual! Photo tip: Pre focus and when you see that shift in posture, start your burst – the next frames are often the cleanest wing positions.

Repeated hunting runs Kites, harriers, hawks and similar species will often work the same paddock or shoreline back and forth. Photo tip: Identify the “sweet spot” in their route with the best background and wait for them to fly back through it. They can be extra cautious when hunting - I try and keep still, sometimes under a tree to keep a very low profile.

Birds in Flight (All Types)

Landing approaches to a regular perch Many birds use the same perch multiple times and follow the same flight path in. Photo tip: Once you’ve seen one landing, pre-focus on that perch and track them as they repeat the approach.

Flock circling and re-landing Flocks often flush, circle and then settle back almost where they started if undisturbed. Photo tip: Don’t drop your camera when they take off – stay with them for the circle and be ready for the mass landing.

Hovering and hawking for insects Some species launch from a perch, catch an insect, then return to the same spot. Photo tip: Lock focus on the perch and be prepared to switch to tracking mode as soon as they launch.

Wind-testing before flight Birds will often face into the wind and lift their wings slightly to “feel” it. Photo tip: That little test is your warning – the next movement is often a full take-off.

Return-to-nest routes Birds feeding chicks usually travel the same flight corridors in and out of the nest. Photo tip: Step back from the nest site and position yourself along that corridor for repeat passes without disturbing them.

Watching Bird Behaviour - Putting it into practice

You definitely don’t need to remember all of these at once! On your next outing, just pick one or two behaviours to focus on - maybe shorebirds working the tide line, or small forest birds hopping along a favourite perch. Spend a bit of time simply watching before you even lift the camera.

There's enormous value in returning to the same locations - you get to know the birds and their habits, which in turn, helps to plan great shots! The species is irrelevant - an exceptional photo is more important - to me anyway.

As you start to see these patterns repeat, you’ll find it gets easier to predict what’s coming next and be ready for it. Over time, you can add more behaviours to your mental checklist, and you’ll go from reacting to the action to quietly anticipating it.

The more you practise “reading” birds, the more your hit rate will climb - and the more intentional and creative your images will become.

Happy Birding! Don't forget to subscribe for notification of more tips, blog posts and tutorials.

xx Sonia