How to Identify Birds by Songs

Summary: Observing birds and studying their behavior is what birding and bird watching is all about. The best way to get started in birding is to begin in your own backyard. Backyard birding is an excellent way to learn about various types of bird species and their behavior. Types of bird songs and calls are even more numerous and varied than there are species of birds, but with a trained ear you'll be able to identify several species of birds on vocalization alone. Birds use songs, calls, alarms and other sounds for a variety of purposes, whether it be to stake a claim to territory, attract a mate, or warn others of a dangerous predator in the area. Here to teach you more about birding by ear is our birding expert from the Massachusetts Audubon Society. In this free online video series, Wayne R. Petersen, Director of the Massachusetts Important Bird Areas Program at the Massachusetts Audubon Society gives tips and advice to those who wish to learn how to identify birds by ear. Petersen discusses how using recorded bird songs on tapes or CDs can help you to improve your auditory ability to recognize birds by their songs, calls, and mechanical noises they make, such as the sound of wings and feathers ruffling or a Woodpecker drilling into the side of a tree. Once you become more familiar with common vocalizations you'll soon be able to remember and pick out more complex songs, such as that of the Hermit Thrush, or even more challenging, the Mockingbird, who's song can mimic that of any other bird, or even the mechanical sounds it might hear in its environment. With a little practice and study, you'll be able to identify numerous bird species in your area without ever seeing them.