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
Botaurus lentiginosus
Herons, Egrets, Bitterns
Varied Thrush
Ixoreus naevius
Thrushes
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
Hawks and Eagles
Pied-billed Grebe
Podilymbus podiceps
Grebes

More Birding Advice

The Yellow-Rumped Warbler Will Probably Be Split Into Different Species Again
September 01, 2016 — New genetic testing suggests the bird could be multiple separate species. Time to re-familiarize yourself with the 91做厙s and Myrtle Warbler.
News
Birdist Rule #2: Don't Be a Jerk
August 24, 2016 — There arent a lot of jerks in birding. Lets keep it that way.
The Birdists Rules of Birding
Think You Have a Bird-Friendly Backyard? Think Again.
August 18, 2016 — Birdfeeders and trees help birds, but they also increase the likelihood of deadly window impacts. Heres how to make your yard truly bird friendly.
News
Birdist Rule #115: Learn to Identify and Differentiate Night Herons
August 17, 2016 — Don't panic: There are only two.
The Birdists Rules of Birding