MONTGOMERY-Birding is an activity that can be done at leisure and while social distancing. As a beginner birder, it can be daunting knowing there are over 420 bird species that call Alabama home at some point during the year, but after a little practice birding can become second nature. Getting started is simple since all you need are binoculars, a good field guide, and your ears! It is often easier to first learn how to identify a bird by sight based on plumage, colors, and field markings, and then move on to what is notably one of the best birding skillsets to have – identifying birds by song or call. Bird songs are typically used by males to attract mates or defend territory and are made up of a relatively long, melodious series of notes that carry a clear pattern. While bird songs are most often heard during the summer, bird calls can be heard during all seasons and tend to be short, one syllable, and unmusical sounds, like a cheep or squawk. Learning to identify birds by sound can be helpful for elusive birds that often go unseen, such as kinglets, creepers, and towhees. Birding by ear can also be helpful for birds whose songs and calls are more distinctive than their appearance. Many birders say that 90% of birding is what you hear, and here are a few ways to learn birding by ear skills. 
Like birding by sight, birding by ear takes practice and is often compared to learning a language. Bird recordings can be found through multiple sources, including various websites, audio CDs, specialized books, and phone apps. It is good to use multiple resources to listen to bird songs and calls to get your ears in-tune with the different pitches and notes. It is also best to start small, learning songs or calls of common birds in your backyard, to perfect your birding by ear techniques. If you can easily recognize the most common birds, you will be able to quickly recognize a different bird sound and be better equipped to learn who the sound belongs too. Take notes on the bird sounds you hear. Write down a detailed description of the sounds, pitch, tempo, or rhythm. Does it sound similar to another bird song? For example, many people say that a scarlet tanager sounds like a robin with a sore throat. By writing the detailed descriptions, it will force you to listen more closely to each bird and will also give you something to reference when comparing it to audio clips.
People often use mnemonics or catchy phrases to help memorize bird songs. Some are obvious like, “Drink your tea” for Eastern towhee, or “Chick-a-dee-dee-dee” for Carolina chickadee, but others require a greater imagination. For example, to some a white-throated sparrow might sound like “Old Sam Peabody Peabody,” but for others, they might hear “Oh Sweet Canada Canada.” A list of common mnemonics can be found online; use them, change them, or create your own. The most important thing is to find something that resonates with you.
National Geographic Carolina Chickadee
Once you feel comfortable with the birds in your backyard, get out into the field and learn more! Go with a group of birders who are more experienced than you and ask questions. Go birding by yourself and if you don’t know the bird that is singing, track it down to get your eyes on it. It is experiences like these that will help cement the memory in your brain. Public lands such as Wildlife Management Areas and Forever Wild Tracts are the perfect places to test your birding skills and see some unique species. If you are looking for a way to support wildlife, including all the many bird species, in Alabama, then look no further! The purchase of a Wildlife Heritage License is a great way to support the management and acquisition of new lands for birds and all wildlife in Alabama. Plan your visit to one of our Wildlife Management Areas today to get your bird on!
Check out our Watchable Wildlife Page to learn more about the different bird species that can be found in Alabama!
Media Release/Outdoor Alabama
