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

Think You Have a Bird-Friendly Backyard? Think Again.
August 18, 2016 — Birdfeeders and trees help birds, but they also increase the likelihood of deadly window impacts. Here’s how to make your yard truly bird friendly.
News
Birdist Rule #39: How to Tell Friends and Family That You’re a Birder
August 11, 2016 — Falling fast and hard for birding can leave some people feeling embarrassed or ashamed. Don't be.
The Birdist’s Rules of Birding
The Best New Gear for Birding This Summer
August 09, 2016 — What to pack, whether you're hiking through a boreal forest or photographing avian species from a boat.
Gear
Birdist Rule #97: Get to Know Your Goldfinches
August 04, 2016 — This is the California Gold Rush they don’t teach you about in history class.
The Birdist’s Rules of Birding