Birding By Ear

Birding by ear is at the apex of birding skills. It is the goal of birding by ear to separate one song or call from another, and then determine which species is making the sound. It is probably one of the best skills a birder can develop. Birding by ear is an essential skill for paid birding guides, or anyone who studies or surveys birds.

We've all birded with someone who is able to distinguish between an eastern and a western meadowlark just by hearing it. Or someone who is able to identify half a dozen birds before leaving the parking lot when the only thing that's flown by is a black vulture.

If you know someone who has a mastery of birding by ear, accompanying them in the field is a great way to gain insight into the world of bird songs. It sometimes take a very discerning ear to point out subtle differences that a novice might miss.

Sometimes mnemonics is a useful tool in learning bird songs. Mnemonics is accomplished by translating the bird sounds and calls into human speech. "Who cooks for you?" for the Barred Owl, "teakettle, teakettle, teakettle," for the Carolina Wren, "what-cheer, what-cheer, what-cheer," for the Northern Cardinal, etc.

Perhaps the key to learning to bird by ear is repetition. Luckily, we live in the age of mp3 players (such as an IPod, etc.). Not only can you load hundreds of bird sounds and listen over and over in the comfort of your home, the small, lightweight devices can easily be carried into the field, supplementing your learning experience there.

Learning bird songs and calls takes time and patience. Some are easy to remember while others, like migrating warblers, are more challenging. Keep trying and your skills will improve rapidly. Above all else, enjoy yourself and enjoy the experience of being in the moment birding!

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