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

Day 7: The End of the Good Times
April 19, 2016 — Slip sliding into Humboldt National Park is much harder than it sounds.
Chasing the Ivory-Bill
A group of people holding binoculars
How To Choose Your Binoculars
April 18, 2016 — When it comes to birding, your looking glass makes all the difference.
Binoculars
Day 6: Guantanamo Bound
April 18, 2016 — The team encounters a few ominous creatures as they wade into restricted territory.
Chasing the Ivory-Bill
What Do Birds Use To Duct Tape Their Nests Together?
April 18, 2016 — A flexible, resilient material for construction and repair . . . yes, we're talking about spider silk.
Podcast
Day 5: Travels With El Indio in the Mountains Above Bahia de Taco
April 15, 2016 — A savvy local guide leads a hike full of endemics and faux woodpecker calls.
Chasing the Ivory-Bill