How to Recognize Bird Calls

The reality of bird-watching is that you always run the risk of never seeing a bird. Sometimes birds are so well camouflaged or the surroundings are so dense that you cannot ever pinpoint their exact location. Recognizing bird calls is a great skill to possess when trying to identify a bird that is hard to see.

Instructions

Study Bird Calls

1. Purchase birding software that includes sound clips of bird calls. Study each bird call until you can identify the bird by their call. Some birding software include quizzes where you can test your birding knowledge.

2. Buy a CD or DVD of birds and bird calls. You can also rent or purchase birding videos to help you study bird calls.

3. Take a sound recorder and head to your local zoo. Record the sounds of each bird you see, if possible. If you do not have a sound recorder, try a camcorder or the video clip option on a digital camera. Take careful notes so you don't end up with a bunch of random bird calls. Numbering each sound on the recorder and in your notes should help keep everything organized. Study the sounds you record.

4. Contact a local birding association or your local Audubon society and ask for resources on bird calls.

Recognize Bird Calls with Practice

1. Take a birding tour and put your studying to the test. Use the excursion as a way to practice identifying the birds by their songs. A guide should be able to help you match the call to the bird. Learn how to tune out traffic and other environmental sounds, like the wind and leaves, and just focus on the bird song.

2. Listen to a CD of bird calls with an answer sheet nearby. Have someone play a random selection and see if you can correctly identify the bird.

3. Sit outside your home and see if you can recognize any bird calls. You may some interesting birds hanging out around your house, or perhaps just passing through. Don't forget your camera or binoculars so you can commit the bird to memory.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice makes perfect. The more bird calls you listen to and are able to recognize, the more exciting and fulfilling birding will become.