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

Why Some Women Are Skipping Out on the ‘Airbnb of Birding’
December 21, 2017 — People everywhere are taking advantage of the networking service Birding Pal—but the low-security setup can be a deterrent for female birders.
News
The United State of Birding
December 19, 2017 — After a racist encounter in the field, a birder reflects on the disturbing incident and the community that helped lift him back up.
Year of the Bird
In Search of the Stunning—and Possibly Extinct—Edwards's Pheasant
December 18, 2017 — No one has seen the elusive bird in the wild in nearly two decades, but it might still inhabit Vietnam's war-ravaged mountain valleys.
Dispatch
The Christmas Bird Count Is a Window to a Changing World
December 14, 2017 — A veteran counter reflects on shifts in New Jersey's birds during the past 40 Decembers, for better and for worse.
News
How to Choose Your Spotting Scope
December 07, 2017 — Tips to help first-time buyers take the guesswork out of finding the perfect match.
Gear Advice