Colorful birds like blue jays and cardinals are easy to identify even if you just see a flash of color. If you are lucky enough to see a painted bunting (pictured above), you will definitely look twice!
Other birds have color in certain places. For example, a yellow-headed blackbird is an all black bird with a yellow head. A rose-breasted grosbeak has a rosy-red triangle of feathers on its white breast. Learning how to quickly see the colors and patterns of birds will help you identify them. After you play this game, head outside. Watch for colors and patterns on the birds you find. Does the bird have a patch of red color on its wings? It could be a red-winged blackbird. What do you think a ruby-crowned kinglet would look like?