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

Finding a Constant in Nature During the Uncertainty of a Pandemic
August 25, 2020 — Birds, the Trinity River Audubon Center, and nature provide stability for me when everything else feels so changeable.
News
Birdwatching Is a Bright Spot in a Pandemic-Stricken Economy
August 06, 2020 — Sales are through the roof for seed suppliers, birdhouse builders, and small businesses helping people connect with the nature in their backyards.
COVID-19
Birding by Ear Can Be a Challenge, But There’s Help at Hand
July 15, 2020 — Looking to learn bird songs? Here are some courses and tools to guide you no matter your skill level.
News
Gain a Duck, Lose a Crow: the 2020 Updates to North American Bird Names
July 13, 2020 — The Mexican Duck is now its own species, and the Northwestern Crow officially gets lumped with American Crow.
News
Meet the Harvard Ornithology Professor Biking Across the Country
June 26, 2020 — With school out due to COVID-19, Scott Edwards decided to make a lifelong dream a reality. Now his ride has taken on even more meaning.
News