Birding by Ear with the Master Birders Academy

A pair of birds that can often be confused are the Downy and Hairy Woodpecker. This makes sense as they both look nearly identical, hosting very similar colors and field marks, found in similar habitats and are both found in almost all parts of North America. Luckily, there are quite a few visual and auditory clues we can use to help differentiate these two.In this episode, we will go over the three main sounds they make, noting the differences between each to help you master the two most common woodpecker species you will typically encounter.Want to improve your birding skills?Check out my courses at www.MasterBirdersAcademy.comXeno-Canto Credits to: Stanislas Wroza: XC1022469, XC1022464, XC1014930Sue Riffe: XC1002817David Darrell-Lambert: XC476564Scott Olmstead: XC1187237 Send us Fan Mail

When birding by ear, learning the call notes can be some of the most challenging sounds to learn to ID. Luckily, some groups can be easier than others, the high-pitched call notes of the birds of the eastern forests are some of those. Join me as we learn how to differentiate some of the most common high-pitched call notes you will be hearing in the fall.And if you want to level up your birding skills, check out my online courses at www.masterbirdersacademy.comSound Credits; Xeno-CantoRay Cooke- XC1165181Stanislas Wroza- XC1013331Richard E. Webster- XC607318Christopher McPherson- XC598824Manuel Grosselet- XC641547Greg Irving- XC1040799 Thomas Magarian- XC359339Lucas Berrigan- XC328787Send us Fan Mail

One of the challenges of Birding by Ear comes when there are several birds that sound similar to one another. In the eastern half of North America, that challenge can be heard when trying to differentiate between American Robin, Scarlet Tanager and Rose-breasted Grosbeak. This trio has the same song pattern but different sound qualities. Once you know what to listen for, this group becomes much easier to distinguish.Xeno-canto credits to:Stanislas Wroza-  XC1020890Peter Ward- XC801716Greg Irving- XC1138978Christopher McPherson- XC691899Scott Gravette- XC372787Send us Fan Mail

Before you start focusing on learning individual species of birds, it's helpful to learn what field marks you are listening for. Just like birds have names for each of their physical characteristics, so do their sounds. Learning what to listen for and how to describe it before you jump right into birding by ear can be a gamechanger for your learning journey.To continue on your journey to be a Master Birder, check out my courses at www.thebirdingacademy.comXeno-canto credits to:Scott Crabtree- XC1006716, XC1147282Doug Hynes- XC715195Stanislas Wroza- XC1014388, XC1020596, XC1013174, XC1023080, XC1014693Greg Irving- XC113897Brian Cox- XC938998 Ray Cooke- XC1058578Richard E. Webster- XC1034325, XC825420, XC583574Manuel Grosselet- XC1029622, XC1085881Manuel Oudard- XC837821, XC839511, XC839838Ted Floyd- XC352827Valerie Heemstra- XC1106679Timothy Marquardt- XC733478Mario Reyes Jr.- XC1137267Paul Driver- XC771930Alex Lin-Moore- XC805473Russ Wigh- XC722997Christopher McPherson- XC598824 Skyler Bol- XC877052 Send us Fan Mail

Birding by ear can be one of the greatest skills you learn as a birder, after all not all birds are cooperative and sit out in the open for you to see. In this episode we will go over the many reasons to work on improving this birding skill!If you want to continue your birding skills, don't forget to check out my online courses at www.thebirdingacademy.comXeno-canto:Greg Irving- XC1145928, Christopher McPherson- XC692192, XC692224, XC691874Ray Cooke- XC984684Manuel Oudard- XC839379, XC838347Tristan Guillebot de Nerville- XC1139175Yolima Pardo- XC1053309Stanislas Wroza- XC1013317Send us Fan Mail

Birding by ear can be one of the most important skills you can learn as a birder. Join me every week as we go over a variety of topics to help you become a master at birding by ear!Subscribe to never miss an episode!Send us Fan Mail