Birding by Ear

There's a lot to look forward to in spring for birders.

The flowers are blooming, old friends are returning,  and birdsong is at its peak. The sheer volume of songs and calls can often feel overwhelming for birders, but these sounds offer an opportunity and a challenge. With our birding-by-ear series you can learn how to better ID birds through their vocalizations. 

Pt. 1: Start Listening for Songs and Calls
Pt. 2: Learn the Most Common Kinds of Sounds
Pt. 3: Connect Noises With Pictures That Stick
Pt. 4: Grow Familiar With Neighborhood Voices
Pt. 5: “Read” Sounds on Spectrograms
Pt. 6: Know If It's a Mimic or the Real Deal
Pt. 7: Learn Different Regional Accents
Pt. 8: Eavesdrop on Nature's Orchestra
A Few of Our Favorite Sounds
American Bittern
Herons, Egrets, Bitterns
! Priority Bird
Varied Thrush
Thrushes
Red-tailed Hawk
Hawks and Eagles
Pied-billed Grebe
Grebes

More Birding Advice

Is That Exotic Waterfowl You Just Found Wild or an Escapee?
November 30, 2016 — And more importantly, can you add it to your life list?
The Best New Gear for Birding this Fall
November 28, 2016 — Birds are on the move. These products will help you keep up.
Birdist Rule #80: Decide How You Feel About Eating Birds
November 23, 2016 — It’s a topic that’s kind of hard to avoid on Thanksgiving.
Learn to Tell a Northern Shrike From a Loggerhead Shrike
November 23, 2016 — These are the best clues to help you know which ‘butcherbird’ is which.