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

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April 18, 2017 — It's National Park Week, so go make use of all those excellent birding destinations. There are a lot more than you think.
The Birdist’s Rules of Birding
How to Start Identifying Birds by Their Songs and Calls
April 12, 2017 — Part one in our new series to help you build your birding skills—and love of birds—by learning how to bird by ear.
Birding By Ear
Start Using Spectrograms to 'Read' Bird Songs and Calls
April 12, 2017 — Part five of our new series to help you build your birding skills—and love of birds—by learning how to bird by ear.
Birding By Ear
A Beginner’s Guide to Common Bird Sounds and What They Mean
April 12, 2017 — Part two of our new series to help you build your birding skills—and love of birds—by learning how to bird by ear.
Birding By Ear
Are You Listening to a Bird Mimic or the Real Deal?
April 12, 2017 — Part six of our new series to help you build your birding skills—and love of birds—by learning how to bird by ear.
Birding By Ear