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 14: One Last Lead
April 28, 2016 — As the trip draws to a close, Gallagher focuses his hopes on new territory.
Chasing the Ivory-Bill
Day 13: The Trek to Farallones
April 27, 2016 — Birds abound on a cliff-side hike, but still no Ivory-bill.
Chasing the Ivory-Bill
How to Start Birding
April 25, 2016 — There's no better time than the present to take the plunge—or at least dip your toes in.
Birding
Day 11: Echoes From The Highest Ridgetop
April 25, 2016 — The team hikes deeper—and higher—into the woods and meets a Cuban Pygmy Owl along the way.
Chasing the Ivory-Bill
Day 10: And Then The Mule Died
April 22, 2016 — The team catches wind of a 2008 Ivory-bill sighting—and passes on some questionable meat.
Chasing the Ivory-Bill