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: 鈥淩ead鈥 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

Category: Top of the Line
November 26, 2019 — The top-scoring binoculars in the $2,000-plus range.
Gear Advice
Category: Lower Mid-Range
November 26, 2019 — The top-scoring binoculars in the $300鈥$500 range.
Gear Advice
The Best Places to See Seabirds Without Getting Seasick
November 20, 2019 — Visit one of these five famous seawatching destinations on your next birding adventure.
News
Ask Kenn Kaufman: Are American Robins Really Robins?
November 05, 2019 — Also this month: What is the one U.S. birding destination every birder should visit? And why can't I count the Great White Heron as a lifer?
Ask Kenn!
Ask Kenn Kaufman: Will My Feeder Keep Birds From Migrating?
October 04, 2019 — Also this month: What happens when a bird gets lost? And what was the most recent newly discovered bird in the U.S.?
Ask Kenn!