She wasn’t mad-she heard and IDed the same birds.Įxperts never stop birding by ear, and for good reason: Sound is very often the best way to detect a bird’s presence. When my wife, Kimberly, and I got married, for example, I identified eight species by voice during the ceremony. In my case, whenever I’m outdoors or even close to a window, I never stop listening for birds. People may speak of “birding by ear” as if it were different from normal birding, but it’s not it’s something you’re already and always doing. But for birders, learning to recognize birds by their voices is tremendously valuable. Is it a nightingale or a skylark? The question is a matter of life or death: If it’s the lark singing, that means daybreak is coming, and Romeo must flee for his own safety.įortunately, nailing bird IDs doesn’t usually have such heavy consequences. During a secret nighttime tryst, the star-crossed couple argues about a bird they’re hearing outside the window. Don’t believe me? Check out Romeo and Juliet.
(Bonus: You're probably already doing it!) To catch up, check out part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5, part 6, part 7, and part 8.įirst up, master birder and Audubon field editor Kenn Kaufman on why you should give birding by ear a chance, and what you need to get started.
#Songbird song how to
Follow along with our birding-by-ear series to learn how to use vocalizations to better ID birds. The sheer volume of songs and calls to learn can often feel overwhelming for birders, but these sounds offer both an opportunity and a challenge. Editor’s Note: There's a lot to look forward to in spring, including the welcomed hullabaloo of birdsong.
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