Birds are extremely diverse and different, and the variety that is present in them is amazing. Every species of bird either distributes seeds and is a source of food for other animals, or they clean up after other animals. Then there are the majestic birds of prey that do their job in keeping everything in balance. Many people like to study and watch birds as their goal in life, while some others have made it a hobby that is to be done in their free time; some travel thousands of miles and others are happy to just study the birds that are in their backyards. For those who want to get started, there are some general rules that need to be followed. One very important rule among these is that you should not disturb the bird or birds that you are observing. Never play with a nest that has eggs or chicks in it, because it is very likely that the parents will abandon their chicks or eggs when they realize that the nest has been tampered with. Respect the birds and their space. There are also some things that any person will need to have whether he/she is just starting out or even if he/she is an old veteran in the game of bird watching. One thing that you will need is a good bird guide. Depending on where you live in the world, there will be many bird guides to choose from. You will have to choose one that is specific to your area, which will have information about the species of birds that you are most likely to encounter. If you live in the western United States, a book about the birds of Brazil will be of no use to you. One other thing that you will need is a good pair of binoculars. This is a very important piece of gear if you are serious about birding, because a cheap pair of binoculars is not going to get you very far. Get yourself something that is of a good quality and a good brand name, because if you don't, the whole thing will lose its purpose when you see a bird in the distance that looks great, but you cannot identify it because all you can see through your cheap binoculars is a ball of puff. Thus, spending some extra money on a pair of good binoculars is always better. Do some research and find out what kind of birds are present in your area before you try to identify them. Find out what you can expect, and that will make it easier for you to identify the bird when you see it. Along with finding out about the birds in your area, also gather information about the habitats of those birds so that you will be able to find them. Learn the songs of those birds so that you will have some extra help. Other suggestions are to join a group of birders, as these people would be more than willing to help you and give you tips such as where to find the birds. Birding is not very easy and you will not get it in the first go. However, it is a lot of fun and the effort is worth it.