Search the docs, videos, blog, apps, teams, skills and release notes.
At a glance
What it is
Guide to birdwatching including binocular selection, field guide usage, identification by sight and sound, habitat awareness, eBird recording, photography, backyard birding, and life list management.
A skill is a written procedure a bot loads when a job calls for it. This one is a single file, SKILL.md, and the whole file is on this page.
The whole file, exactly as it downloads. Read it before you rely on it.
SKILL.md
367 lines · 2,588 words
Gather requirements. Ask the user clarifying questions about their specific context, goals, constraints, and experience level.
Analyze the situation. Review the information provided and identify key factors, challenges, and opportunities relevant to birdwatching guide.
Guide to birdwatching including binocular selection, field guide usage, identification by sight and sound, habitat awareness, eBird recording, photography, backyard birding, and life list management.
Nothing. It ships with Murage, which is open source. Your bots run on the AI plan you already have.
Yes. Open it in Settings → Skills to read, edit or duplicate it. Skill Guard scans it again after every edit.
Download the app, connect the AI you already pay for, and tell your Chief of Staff what needs doing. Plan on about ten minutes from install to a working team.
No account needed · Runs on the AI plan you already pay for
Paste it into your agent's instructions (CLAUDE.md, AGENTS.md or a custom GPT), or add it to a bot in Murage.
Ask Ember for the bot, then switch the skill on in its settings.
Step 1
Send your Chief of Staff this message. It proposes the bot and its role first, and creates it when you say go.
Send this to Ember
“Create a bot that uses the Birdwatching Guide skill, and show me the plan first.”
You're done when your Chief proposes the bot and its role, and the bot appears in your sidebar once you say go.
Step 2
You're done when you see the bot’s skills and the library.
Step 3
You're done when the skill shows as on for that bot.
Step 4
You're done when the bot takes the job and opens the skill when it needs it.
Prefer to do it yourself? Choose + in the sidebar, then New Bot.Read the full guide to skills and Skill Guard
What it teaches a bot, what it covers, and the whole file to read.
What it covers
When to Use
Process
Questions to Ask First
Binocular Selection
Field Guide Usage
Identification by Sight
Identification by Sound
Habitat Awareness
eBird Recording
Bird Photography
Backyard Birding
Migration Patterns
Life List Management
Safety Considerations
Progression Path
Resources
Output Format
Example
Edge Cases
Develop the framework. Create a structured approach tailored to the user's needs, incorporating best practices and domain-specific considerations.
Deliver actionable output. Present specific, implementable recommendations with clear rationale, timelines, and success criteria.
Address edge cases. Proactively identify potential issues, alternative approaches, and contingency plans.
Use this skill when:
User needs guidance on birdwatching guide
User asks about birdwatching guide best practices or techniques
User wants a structured approach to birdwatching guide
Do NOT use this skill when:
A more specialized skill exists for the specific subtopic
The request is outside the scope of birdwatching guide
Before getting started with birdwatching:
What sparked your interest? (Backyard birds, travel, photography, nature walks, a specific bird)
What is your experience level? (Know no birds / Know a few / Moderate / Experienced)
Where do you live? (Region affects which species you will see)
Do you want to bird casually or pursue it seriously?
What is your budget for optics? ($0 / $100-200 / $200-500 / $500+)
Are you interested in bird photography?
Do you prefer solo outings or group walks?
Do you have any mobility limitations? (Birding can be adapted to any ability level)
Do you have a yard or outdoor space for feeders?
Are you interested in contributing to citizen science (eBird)?
Binoculars are the single most important birding tool. Good binoculars transform the experience from "I see a brown bird" to "I can see the eye ring, wing bars, and breast streaking."
8x42: 8x magnification, 42mm objective lens
Magnification (first number): 8x is ideal for birding (10x harder to hold steady)
Objective lens (second number): Larger = brighter image, heavier
8x42: Best all-around birding binocular configuration
10x42: More reach, harder to hold steady, narrower field of view
8x32: Lighter, more compact, slightly dimmer in low light
Budget ($75-150):
Nikon Aculon A211 8x42 (~$100) - Great optics for the price
Celestron Nature DX ED 8x42 (~$130) - ED glass reduces color fringing
Mid-Range ($200-400):
Nikon Monarch M5 8x42 (~$250) - Excellent quality, durable
Vortex Diamondback HD 8x42 (~$230) - Lifetime warranty, sharp optics
Premium ($400-800):
Vortex Viper HD 8x42 (~$500) - Near-elite optics
Nikon Monarch HG 8x42 (~$700) - Wide field, superb clarity
Elite ($1,000+):
Swarovski EL 8.5x42 (~$2,300) - The gold standard
Zeiss Victory SF 8x42 (~$2,500) - Widest field of view
Leica Noctivid 8x42 (~$2,600) - Exceptional in low light
Use neck strap always (drops are the #1 killer of binoculars)
Clean lenses with lens pen or microfiber cloth (never paper towels or clothing)
Adjust diopter for your eyes (one-time setting, usually right eyepiece)
Keep rain guard attached when not in use
Store in case or hanging by strap (not laying on lenses)
Print Guides:
Sibley Guide to Birds (David Sibley): Best illustrations, most popular guide
National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America: Excellent range maps
Peterson Field Guide to Birds: Classic system using arrows to highlight key marks
Kaufman Field Guide: Photo-based, good for beginners
Apps:
Merlin Bird ID (free, Cornell Lab): AI photo and sound identification, regional species lists
eBird (free, Cornell Lab): Species lists, hotspots, your personal records
Sibley Birds ($20): Digital version of the Sibley guide
Audubon Bird Guide (free): Photos, sounds, range maps
Note the bird's size relative to known birds (sparrow, robin, crow)
Note overall shape and posture
Note color pattern and any distinctive marks
Check behavior: How does it move, feed, fly?
Note habitat: Where exactly is the bird?
Look at range maps: Is the species expected in your area at this time of year?
Compare similar species: The guide shows look-alikes together
Before looking at color details, assess:
Size: Compared to reference birds (warbler < sparrow < robin < pigeon < crow < goose)
Shape: Round/slender, short/long tail, bill shape, leg length
Posture: Upright, horizontal, hunched
Movement: Hops, walks, climbs, soars, flits
Bill: Shape (seed-cracking thick, insect-catching thin, hooked, long probing), color
Head pattern: Eye line, eye ring, crown stripe, cap color
Breast: Streaked, spotted, plain, banded
Wings: Wing bars, wing patches visible in flight
Tail: Shape (notched, rounded, pointed), pattern, length relative to body
Legs: Color, length
Overall color pattern: Where are the light and dark areas?
House Finch vs Purple Finch (red-headed finches)
Downy Woodpecker vs Hairy Woodpecker (bill proportions)
Cooper's Hawk vs Sharp-shinned Hawk (size, tail shape, flight style)
Song Sparrow vs other streaked sparrows (face pattern, central breast spot)
Greater vs Lesser Yellowlegs (bill length relative to head)
You will hear 5-10 times more birds than you see. Sound identification dramatically increases your species count and awareness.
Start with common species: Learn 10 backyard birds' songs first
Use Merlin Sound ID: Point your phone at singing birds, app identifies in real time
Mnemonics: Many birds have memorable translations
Black-capped Chickadee: "Hey, sweetie" (whistled)
Eastern Towhee: "Drink your teeeea"
White-throated Sparrow: "Oh sweet Canada, Canada, Canada"
Barred Owl: "Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you-all?"
American Robin: "Cheerily, cheer-up, cheerily"
Learn calls AND songs: Songs are territorial/mating (males, breeding season); calls are year-round communication
Dawn chorus: Best time to practice, spring mornings have maximum song activity
Repetition: Listen to recordings repeatedly (Cornell's Macaulay Library, Xeno-canto)
Pitch: High, medium, low
Rhythm: Steady, accelerating, decelerating, irregular
Quality: Buzzy, clear whistle, harsh, musical, mechanical
Pattern: Repeated phrases, continuous warble, single notes
Duration: Brief chip note vs long song
Location: Canopy, understory, ground, aerial
Open water: Ducks, geese, loons, grebes, gulls, terns, pelicans
Shoreline/mudflat: Sandpipers, plovers, herons, egrets
Marsh/wetland: Rails, bitterns, Red-winged Blackbirds, marsh wrens
Open grassland: Meadowlarks, sparrows, hawks, owls, killdeer
Forest interior: Woodpeckers, thrushes, warblers, vireos, tanagers
Forest edge: Many species; edges are birding hotspots
Suburban yards: Cardinals, Blue Jays, robins, House Finches, chickadees
Urban: Pigeons, House Sparrows, starlings, Peregrine Falcons, crows
When you arrive at a location, assess the habitat before looking for birds. Habitat narrows your possibilities dramatically and makes identification faster.
Free, managed by Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Your data contributes to the largest biodiversity dataset in the world
Track your personal sightings (life list, year list, location lists)
Find birding hotspots near you with recent sightings
Explore bar charts showing what species are present when
Open eBird app or website
Start a checklist (records your location, time, and date)
Bird for any duration
Record every species you detect (seen or heard)
Include counts (exact or estimated)
Submit as "complete checklist" if you recorded all species detected
Add notes or photos for unusual sightings
Submit complete checklists (even common species) for maximum data value
Note effort: Traveling (with distance) or stationary, duration
Hotspot checklists preferred over personal locations (aggregates data)
Be conservative with identification (do not guess for your checklist)
Rare species flagged for review by regional experts
Review your checklist before submitting for errors
Start with whatever camera you have (even a smartphone through binoculars)
Birds are challenging subjects: small, fast, easily disturbed
Phone through binoculars (digiscoping): Free if you have both already
Bridge camera (superzoom): Nikon Coolpix P1000 (125x zoom, $800) - huge reach, easy to use
DSLR/mirrorless + telephoto: Canon or Sony body + 100-400mm or 150-600mm lens ($1,500-3,000+)
Specialized: 600mm f/4 prime lenses ($10,000+) for professional results
Light: Shoot with sun behind you, golden hour (first/last hour of daylight) is magical
Eye focus: Sharp eyes make or break a bird photo
Background: Clean, uncluttered backgrounds separate the bird from surroundings
Patience: Sit quietly and let birds come to you
Ethics: Never stress birds for a photo (do not approach nests, do not use playback excessively)
Settings: Shutter priority mode, 1/1000 second minimum for perched birds, 1/2000+ for flight
Tube feeder: Sunflower seed, attracts finches, chickadees, nuthatches
Hopper feeder: Mixed seed, attracts cardinals, jays, sparrows
Suet feeder: Suet cakes, attracts woodpeckers, nuthatches, wrens
Platform/tray feeder: Any seed, attracts ground feeders (doves, juncos, towhees)
Hummingbird feeder: Sugar water (4:1 water to sugar, NO dye), attracts hummingbirds
Nyjer/thistle feeder: Attracts goldfinches and pine siskins
Black oil sunflower: The universal favorite - attracts the most species
Sunflower hearts: No shells, less mess, more expensive
Nyjer (thistle): Goldfinch magnet
Peanuts (shelled or in shell): Woodpeckers, jays, nuthatches
Safflower: Cardinals love it, squirrels and starlings usually avoid it
Avoid: Cheap mixes heavy on milo, wheat, and corn (most birds ignore these)
Water: Birdbath with moving water (dripper or fountain) attracts species that do not visit feeders
Native plants: Best long-term investment for bird habitat
Brush pile: Shelter for sparrows, wrens, and other small birds
Nest boxes: Bluebird, wren, chickadee, tree swallow (species-specific dimensions matter)
Leave leaf litter: Many species forage in fallen leaves (towhees, thrushes, sparrows)
Clean feeders every 2 weeks with 10% bleach solution, rinse thoroughly
Remove moldy or wet seed immediately
Rotate hummingbird nectar every 2-3 days in heat (mold is dangerous to hummingbirds)
Position feeders near cover (shrubs for escape) but with clear sightlines (watch for predators)
Squirrel management: Baffles, weight-sensitive feeders, or hot pepper seed (birds cannot taste capsaicin)
Birds move north to breeding grounds
Warblers, vireos, tanagers, thrushes, flycatchers, shorebirds
Peak varies by latitude: April in southern states, May in northern
Weather fronts influence movement (south winds push birds north)
"Fallouts": Storms force exhausted migrants to land at nearest habitat - spectacular birding
Birds move south to wintering grounds
Earlier than most people expect (shorebirds start in July)
More extended and less concentrated than spring
Juvenile birds in unfamiliar plumages make identification challenging
Hawk watches at ridgelines count raptors streaming south
BirdCast (birdcast.info): Real-time migration forecast maps using radar data
eBird bar charts: Show when species are present at specific locations
Radar: Weather radar shows bird migration at night (green returns without precipitation)
A cumulative record of every bird species you have positively identified. Many birders keep multiple lists:
Life list: Every species ever seen
Year list (Big Year): Species seen in a calendar year
County/State list: Species seen in a specific area
Yard list: Species seen from your property
Record: Species, date, location, and brief notes
eBird automatically generates and tracks all your lists
Be honest: Only count species you identified yourself with confidence
Enjoy the journey: A life list is a record of experiences, not just a number
ABA (American Birding Association) has rules for official listing (countable species)
100 species: Achievable in first year for most birders
200 species: Requires some travel and seasonal effort
300 species: Active birder, multiple habitats and regions
400+ species: Dedicated birder, extensive travel
700+ species: North American listing goal (requires years and much travel)
Be aware of your surroundings (terrain, weather, wildlife)
Tick checks after birding in grassy or wooded areas
Sun protection on long outings
Tell someone where you are going and expected return
Carry water, especially in hot weather
Be respectful of private property (always ask permission)
Never approach nests closely (disturbs breeding, may cause abandonment)
Follow birding ethics: Bird welfare comes before observation or photography
Phase 1: Learn 20 backyard birds by sight, set up a feeder, start eBird
Phase 2: Get binoculars, visit local hotspots, learn 50 species, learn 10 songs
Phase 3: Join a bird walk or club, learn 100 species, understand habitats
Phase 4: Seasonal birding, migration awareness, warbler identification, 200+ species
Phase 5: Bird photography, travel for birding, contribute to citizen science
Phase 6: Lead bird walks, mentor beginners, county or state listing, advanced identification
Cornell Lab of Ornithology (allaboutbirds.org): Species accounts, sounds, videos
eBird (ebird.org): Sighting records, hotspots, bar charts
Merlin Bird ID (free app): Photo and sound identification
Macaulay Library: Largest archive of bird sounds and video
Local Audubon chapter: Field trips, education, conservation
Books: "The Sibley Guide to Birds" by David Sibley
Books: "What It's Like to Be a Bird" by David Sibley (behavior focus)
Podcasts: BirdNote (short daily episodes about birds)
Deliver the response as a structured document with clear headings and actionable content. Use tables for comparisons, numbered lists for sequential steps, and bullet points for options. Include specific examples where applicable.
[Birdwatching Guide deliverable]
1. Context and objectives
2. Analysis or framework
3. Specific recommendations with rationale
4. Action items with timelineInput: "Help me with birdwatching guide for a mid-size project."
Output: A complete birdwatching guide framework tailored to the specific context, with actionable steps, relevant considerations, and measurable outcomes.
Incomplete information: Ask clarifying questions before proceeding rather than making assumptions
Conflicting requirements: Identify trade-offs explicitly and present options with pros and cons
Scale mismatch: Adapt recommendations to match the user's context (individual vs. team vs. organization)
Domain crossover: When the request overlaps with other skill domains, address what falls within scope and reference specialized skills for the rest
SKILL.md
367 lines · 2,588 words
The text of SKILL.md is shown as it downloads, under the Apache-2.0 license, by Ferrox Labs. The license is the one in the file's own frontmatter.
Your new bot
Birdwatching Guide bot
Waiting in your sidebar once you say go.
No account needed · Runs on the AI plan you already pay for