[wildmanofthewoods]

patience, alot of people make the misconception that a good camera or long lens is going to get you good photographs(it does help)but at the end of the day its the person with the camera that gets the shots. if your new to photography you will get better as you learn to understand your camera and the wildlife you wish to photograph......
if your wishing to photograph small birds with your camera you will have to get really close i'd say within six feet... this is the hard part, go somewhere where the birds are fed regularly a feeding station is ideal, if the birds are used to people even better. if they're not a hide will help. you are on your way... practice with your camera at home on inanimate objects first, get used to it... small birds are one of the most difficult things on earth to photograph they rarely stay still for a second so you will not have much time to focus, compose and press the shutter.
i would advise you practice on inanimate subjects first, with spring just around the corner wildflowers will be a great subject to learn on as you can take a shot, then another and another and so on... remember you dont have to photograph everything tomorrow you have the rest of your life. good luck, i'll look forward to seeing your pics soon...al.