Listen and Learn: Mastering Bird Identification by Ear
Using Your Ears To Find And identify Birds
Bill Harris
October 17, 2024
Note: This tip was written by guest author Tobie Schalkwyk.
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Photograph by Serafima Lazarenk - (Guest Author Tobie Schalkwyk)
I must admit, it took me quite a few years before I realized this. Now that I think about it, it's a few years too many. Maybe it evolved naturally during many years of building and extending my knowledge of bird sounds.
Knysna Turaco by Tobie Schalkwyk - The Knysna Turaco in the featured image is a bird that one usually hears long before one sees it. It has a unique call, loud enough to be heard from great distances. Once heard (usually in dense forests), one needs to walk cautiously in its direction while keeping your eyes peeled. With some luck, you will eventually see it moving fast and quietly among the branches and dense leaves. And with a bit of more luck, it may freeze for a moment in a spot that favors a memorable shot.
What am I babbling about? The realization is that nowadays, up to about 80% of my wild bird shots are taken after first hearing a bird instead of first seeing it! It takes no rocket science to work out why: wild birds don’t like to be seen by humans! They sometimes have colors contributing towards perfect camouflage, or they hide behind leaves and branches.
Making full use of your ears requires a few essential things, though:
• Knowledge of bird calls (if you’re looking for a specific bird)
• Knowledge of where you would most likely find a specific bird you’re looking for
• Patience!
‘Where can I get more information about bird calls?’
African Paradise Flycatcher (female) by Tobie Schalkwyk - The African Paradise Flycatcher is different. You need to be aware of the sounds right above and around you. Its soft ‘tssssst, tsssssst’ call (or the babbling song of the male) will eventually announce its presence. Without those calls, you’ll hardly ever know that it’s there.
We’re living in a fantastic technological era. Google and YouTube are great tools for learning about specific bird calls, not to mention apps like the Sasol & Roberts bird guides (South Africa).
Most developed countries have local birding apps to learn about bird calls in that country or environment.
You can also ask around on social media birding groups and find out what the best app is for your country (or the country in which you will be snapping birds).
‘So, what’s the buzz about using my ears?’
The nice thing about using your ears is you will hear foreign bird calls regularly. If you’re looking for a new entry into your bird catalog, this is your perfect opportunity!
Make a special effort to find out what bird it is. Even if it does not give you a photo opportunity, the knowledge will eventually pay you back—it’s only a matter of time!
Keep your ears peeled for bird stress calls, which are typically a loud and repeated ‘sh, sh’ sound!
You may be in luck for a Raptor shot!
Photograph by Fas Khan
Another great giveaway for bird photographers is the squealing of chicks. They are always hungry, and they make no secret of the fact!
When you hear them, move closer cautiously, and once you see them, try to get into a position where you can spend some time. It’s only a matter of time before the parents show up with food—or just to silence the source of noise that may attract raptors or shrikes.
The bottom line is this: if you do not purposefully focus on detecting every bird call around you, you will miss out on many bird shots!
Whether hiking to photograph or watching birds, make the most of it – listen!
Want more? If you want to learn more about bird photography, and capture beautiful shots of your own, we recommend downloading and printing out Photzy’s 10 Bird Photography Cheat Sheets (Special bonus available now!)