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
American Bittern
Herons, Egrets, Bitterns
! Priority Bird
Varied Thrush
Thrushes
Red-tailed Hawk
Hawks and Eagles
Pied-billed Grebe
Grebes

More Birding Advice

It's Time to Rename the Ring-necked Duck
November 04, 2016 — One birder's impassioned plea to name the diver for a much more obvious—and useful—field mark.
Birdist Rule #101: Learn About the People Certain Birds Are Named After
November 03, 2016 — Like this Cooper's Hawk. Know who it was named for? Didn't think so.
How Twitter Can Make You a Better Birder
November 02, 2016 — Harness the power of the tweet and up your rarity-finding success.
Consider the Black Turnstone, a Master of Camouflage
November 02, 2016 — Compared with other shorebirds, the bird's range is extremely limited. But there might be a good reason for that.
Rare-Bird Sightings: Share or Shut Up?
October 25, 2016 — Before you post a photo on Facebook—or even take the shot in the first place—consider the bird's well-being.