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 a Bird's Habitat Influences Its Song
April 29, 2019 — Whether in the open tundra or a dense marsh, if a bird wants to be heard, certain sounds travel better than others.
News
Get Yourself to Indiana's First National Park, Where the Birds Abound
April 25, 2019 — With an upcoming festival celebrating spring migration, it’s time to explore the rare habitats and hundreds of species at Indiana Dunes.
News
Rude: Kingfishers, Grebes, and Gulls Are Among the Internet's Least Popular Birds
April 24, 2019 — A new analysis of Google searches suggests some pretty great species aren't getting the attention they deserve. It's time to change that.
News
If You Can Identify Any of These Birds, You're Ready for Climate Watch
April 23, 2019 — And if you can't yet, learn them here so you can help Audubon track how certain species are adjusting to climate change.
News
What Nesting Materials Are Safe for Birds?
April 22, 2019 — Follow these dos and don'ts if you want to help your feathered neighbors build their homes this spring.
News