New to bird photography... Tips?

So I'm a sports shooter, so I'm used to shooting moving objects, but I'm going to try my hand at bird photography, for a friend... Here's the story...

A friend of mine that lives in the smallest city in Rhode Island has two eagles that populate her back yard almost weekly, throughout the whole year. She has a point-and-shoot that she tries to capture them with, and even though you can tell they are eagles, she is not much of a photographer. So she asked me to come on by when I can with my gear to see what I can get. She also has deer, sometimes 10-12 at a time, but that's another story...

So I was just wondering if there is anything I would do different with birds than what I would do with shooting a baseball player running to first base.

Thanks...

Not a sports shooter but these have helped me with birds:

Early morning light
Sun behind you
More space in front of bird than behind
Focus on eye
Go for the eagles, never mind the deer

Good luck.

If your longest lens is 300mm you might have to settle with more landscape than filling the frame with an Eagle depending on how tolerant they are towards humans...if they're nesting in her backyard it's also important to know the last thing you want to be doing is scaring them off while they're incubating eggs or raising young.

That being said....I see no difference in photographing a sporting event vs. a Bald Eagle.

The longer the focal length, the better.
Focus on the eye.
Be patient.
Shoot at the morning (best at 5am onwards, that's the time they are more active and the sun's light is smooth and soft).
Tighter framing (It's better if you have the bird in the whole frame)
Try first at small aperture like f/8, f/10, or f/11 to have the whole bird in focus.
Do not walk to fast or closer to them. It scares them so they'll fly away (That's why it's better with longer focal length)

Off the top of my head....

Sounds obvious - but don't give off the air of a predator, so when trying to get a little closer avert your gaze a fair wack and meander towards them in a non-direct path. If you can break up the shape of your outline, especially head (with a hat) that will help a little (sounds silly, but this all helps).

Hum or chatter to yourself which trying to approach (being completely serious, this works wonders for me and I'm not alone. Not sure why but often this can put birds at ease to a surprising extent).

Try your best not to approach any birds with the sun directly behind you as that emphasises your form and can make them skittish, approach from the side (if at all possible).

Avoid garish colours.

Scout locations and watch your intended targets for a few outings to establish their favourite perches, particular behaviours, their most frequent flight-paths. The more the birds in question see you the better anyhow as they will eventually realise you are not a threat to them and many will then show outstanding levels of tolerance.

Having done recon, you can run from spot to spot or pick a spot and dig in for the long haul. The less you shimmy about the better and if you have sussed your location well give them time and they will come around you.

Practice, practice, practice. Doesn't really matter what with. Doves, pigeons, whatever you have in abundance, use them (especially for BiF tracking, settings testing, etc, etc).

Thanks for all of the responses. I just picked up a used 2X III extender, so I'm hoping that will help with staying back far enough to not disturb them. I care more about their well being than getting my shot, I don't want to scare them or anything. I'll probably practice a bit in my own yard on typical birds before going over there, or maybe hitting a beach and shoot some seagulls.

Thanks again!!

Well best of luck and I very much look forward to seeing the results. Bird photography can be damned frustrating but, when it does all come together, it is great.....

...oh yes, and its VERY addictive.

Andrew Your pics are outstanding. Followed on 500px for sure

See the Free Textbook for Beginners sticky at the top of this forum.

JuvarAbrera wrote in post #15802630
Try first at small aperture like f/8, f/10, or f/11 to have the whole bird in focus.

You are just showing off at the sunshine over there !
Back in rain central UK , wide open at a not so mighty 5.6 :P

Paulstw wrote in post #15802822
Andrew Your pics are outstanding. Followed on 500px for sure

Thanks very much Paul, saw your 500px and I'm following you too.

Foggiest wrote in post #15804203
You are just showing off at the sunshine over there !
Back in rain central UK , wide open at a not so mighty 5.6 :P

I just thought that it would be better to start off at small aperture. That's what they've told me. Though I sometimes shot at 5.6.

But yeah, if it's dark enough then go to the largest aperture as possible. I'm not saying that he must shoot at that aperture.