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
Adopt a Bird
American Bittern
Herons, Egrets, Bitterns
! Priority Bird
Varied Thrush
Thrushes
Red-tailed Hawk
Hawks and Eagles
Pied-billed Grebe
Grebes

More Birding Advice

Puerto Ricans Band Together to Survey Birds in Hurricane Maria's Aftermath
January 12, 2018 — Amid power outages, devastated landscapes, and destroyed buildings, birders assessed the storm's avian toll on their Christmas Bird Count.
Christmas Bird Count
A Beginner's Guide to Reading Bird Tracks in Snow
January 10, 2018 — Telltale toes are just one of many clues.
News
After Hurricane Harvey, a Community's Christmas Bird Count Tradition Continues
January 10, 2018 — Residents of Port Aransas, Texas, are still feeling the effects of the storm four months later. But that didn't stop counters from their annual survey.
Christmas Bird Count
Why Sewage Plants Make for Great Winter Birding Spots
January 04, 2018 — Water, heat, and fertilizer . . . what more could you ask for? Here are a few ideas on where to visit.
News
Oakland's Christmas Bird Count Has Another Banner Turnout
December 23, 2017 — Short on sleep but not on species, volunteers fanned out across the habitat-rich city.
Christmas Bird Count