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

16 Virtual and In-Person Birding Festivals to Celebrate Spring Migration
April 14, 2021 — Your favorite events might look a little different this year, but you’ll find online opportunities to explore birding hotspots from coast to coast.
Birding
Do Yourself a Favor This Spring: Go See the American Woodcock’s ‘Sky Dance’
March 26, 2021 — Timberdoodles have one of the wildest mating rituals among North American birds, and you should definitely check it out. Here’s how.
News
How You Can Be an Ally Outdoors
March 19, 2021 — It’s one thing to want nature to be safe and accessible for everyone—and another to help make it so. Here are some expert tips to get started.
News
Our Newest National Park—and West Virginia's First—Is Fantastic for Birding
February 05, 2021 — Located in the southern part of the Mountain State, New River Gorge National Park is a must-visit destination for birders and adventure seekers.
News
More Birds Bring More Happiness, According to Science
January 05, 2021 — A pair of new studies show how birds improve our wellbeing, adding to a growing body of evidence that avians are an antidote to our despair.
News