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

A Birder’s Farewell to the East Coast
June 07, 2017 — Cheers to the cardinals, the chickadees, the jays, and yes, even to the grackles I pretend to ignore.
The Insider’s Guide to Birding in Central Park, New York City
June 02, 2017 — It won’t be your typical birding experience—but that’s what also makes it so special. We asked the experts for tips to make the most of your visit.
Birdist Rule #89: Try Standing Still to See More Birds
May 25, 2017 — It's amazing what you can miss if you don't have a little patience.
The Catbird Has a Simple Trick to Outsmart Brood Parasites
May 24, 2017 — When it comes to protecting its nest from the Brown-headed Cowbird and other nest invaders, the quirky Gray Catbird is especially talented.
Birdist Rule #45: Learn to Deal With Incredibly Annoying Bugs
May 19, 2017 — Here are some of the worst bugs you'll encounter while birding, as well as some methods for prevention.