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

Day 34: Last Day in Cerrado Brings 5 New Birds
February 04, 2015 — Noah says goodbye to central Brazil, and Giuliano and Bianca.
Day 33: Bird Invasion
February 03, 2015 — The first nap of the Big Year is interrupted by a particularly needy Amazonian Motmot.
Day 32: From Wetlands to Dry Land
February 03, 2015 — After a day and a half on the Pantanal, Noah relocates to a lesser-known part of Brazil.
Day 31: Birding the Pantanal
February 02, 2015 — Visiting in the off season means few tourists and plenty of birds.
Day 30: Stalking the Harpy Eagle
February 02, 2015 — The most powerful raptor in the Western Hemisphere proves elusive, even when nesting.