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
Botaurus lentiginosus
Herons, Egrets, Bitterns
Varied Thrush
Ixoreus naevius
Thrushes
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
Hawks and Eagles
Pied-billed Grebe
Podilymbus podiceps
Grebes

More Birding Advice

For an Unforgettable Birding Adventure, Teens Head to Costa Rica With Audubon
March 14, 2017 — Eight teenagers recently returned from Costa Rica with fresh perspectives, beautiful photos, and much bigger life lists.
News
Seven Spring Hotspots for Warbler Photography
March 10, 2017 — Migrant traps aren't just a boon to birds—they put photographers in a sweet spot too.
Tips and How-Tos
The Case for Chasing Birds That Don’t Count
March 10, 2017 — Because birding is about so much more than just your list.
In the Field
Birdist Rule #56: Figure Out Your Food Strategy While Birding
March 09, 2017 — Are you a bring-it-from-home type of person, or do you enjoy grabbing your meals on the go?
The Birdist’s Rules of Birding
Become a Bird Detective by Studying Behavior Clues
March 06, 2017 — When identifying a bird, how it acts can often lead to a quicker identification than its color or shape.
Podcast