Conservation

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

How to Bird at Your Office, Like a Boss
February 07, 2018 — When your workday gets dull, steal a glance out the window.
News
Who Wins the Feeder War?
February 01, 2018 — When it's time to eat, research shows there's a pecking order—and the winners aren't always who you'd think.
Year of the Bird
Get to Know These 20 Common Birds
January 31, 2018 — Want to put names to species you regularly see? Start with this beginner's guide.
News
Find Northern Saw-whet Owls With These Five Tips
January 26, 2018 — One of our smallest owl species, they can be found in suburbs and cities.
In the Field