Learning birdsong from recordings

OldGeezer · #1 (**permalink**) 05-06-2011, 03:33 PM

I'm not a serious birder, more a walker who appreciates nature in general, but I'd like to be able to recognise birds by their calls. Can someone suggest a useful source of recordings?
I envisage something that has the call followed (or preceded) by the name. I'd like to be able to listen to this when either walking or driving as a sort of subliminal learning technique.
Suggestions appreciated.
Roy

Nutty · #2 (**permalink**) 05-06-2011, 04:48 PM

The Sunday Telegraph gave away two cd's of British Birdsong last October which I have found really useful. I downloaded them on to my MP3 player and, as I play all my music tracks randomly, I get periodic birdsong as well. It is fun trying to guess which bird is singing and then I can check on the screen to see if I am correct. Amazon have birdsong cds with good feedback Amazon.co.uk: birdsong cd

Johnny81 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-06-2011, 04:50 PM

Although you won't be able to listen to them whilst out, the RSPB web site also has songs and calls of each species. Xeno canto Europe is also an excellent site to learn at home as well.

Deb London · #4 (**permalink**) 05-06-2011, 06:48 PM

Xeno Canto is excellent. I can't recommend it enough. Unfortunately I can't get it to work on my old phone and this is a real pity as this would be the most useful field tool that I can imagine (apart from recording sounds and uploading for experts to ID maybe).

I suggest that when you do start, that don't spread your brainpower out too thinly. Learn your local birds in some detail first if you can. Then learn the likely ones in each habitat that you visit. Don't run before you can walk.

Don't be caught out by, for example, the 52 different sounds that the Great Tit makes, or the weird and wonderful repertoire of the Chaffinch. I'm lucky to get both these in the garden and also, at this time of year, there are juveniles, feeding sounds and various alarm calls. I can go out right now and hear layer after layer of audible information and not be able to decipher everything. Just in my garden. A place that probably only has 20 species at the most.

Good luck Roy.