Ok, that looks like a good camera. Here's my recommendation for shooting birds... this is just a starting point. I don't know how you make adjustments to your controls but since the camera shoots manual, these settings can be achieved. 1. Set the aperture to wide open. On this camera, the range is f/3.3 to f/6.9. As you zoom closer, the aperture gets smaller or "stops down". Doesn't matter, you just want wide open, meaning the lowest number it will allow. 2. Set Auto ISO. 3. Set your shutter speed to 1/1000 second as a starting point.
For birds in flight, a fast shutter speed will help to freeze the action giving you nice sharp wings even though they are moving. If the bird is stationary you can use a slower speed like 1/250 or 1/500.
Start there and see how it goes. If the pictures are too dark you will have to lower the shutter speed to get more light. You can also take any dark shots and brighten them to some extent with software. Let me know how it goes.
Thanks for good starting pointers, made note to take in camera pouch as reminder, appreciated! Have an awesome day!