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

How Does the Boreal Chickadee Survive Arctic Winters?
November 24, 2015 — With the right preparation, cold temps are tolerable.
Podcast
What Would a Screech-Owl Want With a Blind Snake?
November 17, 2015 — Keeping live snakes in the nest can benefit owlets. Here's how.
Podcast
6 Fowl That Are Not to Be Forgotten
November 13, 2015 — Turkeys and chickens tend to get all of the attention. Spread the love and learn about six other fowl.
Birds in the News
Fowl or Foul: Which of These Wacky Bird Facts Are True?
November 13, 2015 — How well do you know your North American fowl? Find out with this true/false quiz.
Quiz
Which Animals Prey on Hummingbirds?
October 29, 2015 — If a creature can catch them, you can bet it's eating them.
News