Learning Bird Calls Advice (1 Viewer)

Steven Astley · Apr 24, 2006

Hi all
I know most of the common bird song from the internet. To me though the HOOeet of willow sounds just like the huEET of a chiff.
I find that calls don't come as naturally to me. I find there is no shortcut other than constant listening before it clicks.
I have only just recently been able distinguish between coal and great tit with confidence.
So what cds do people recommend, especially for calls. Any other advice aswell about learning calls.

Thanks in advance Ste (or steve as i am getting old)

PaulK · Apr 24, 2006

The only advice I have about learning bird songs/calls is to get out in the field. When you hear something unfamiliar just try and find it - its a fun way of learning them.

I find learning them from CDs dificult but the "Songs and Calls of the birds of Britain and Europe" quite good.

dan pointon · Apr 24, 2006

I too find I pick a lot more up when out in the field, however one site does spring to mind, you used to be able to download all the bird calls of Europe, don't know as that's still possible, but this is definitely a good site to get to grips with calls by:

http://www.scricciolo.com/eurosongs/canti.htm

HTH

Pluvius · Apr 24, 2006

Have you looked in resources on this page or on the rspb site both have bird calls. I find I try and listen to a number of target species on the above say three over a period of a few days (Say Blackcap, Sedge Warbler and Willow Warbler) and then try and see if I can find them making the noise. I think it also helps if you can see them actually singing to put it in your mind. I know that I am alot better than I was a few years ago.

I think it was Stuart Barnes "How to be a bad birdwatcher" that made me realise how important birdsong was to watching birds.

I also listen to in the car "Geoff Sample Collins Guide to Bird Song"

www.peregrinesbirdblog.blogspot.com

Chris Oates · Apr 24, 2006

PaulK said:
The only advice I have about learning bird songs/calls is to get out in the field. When you hear something unfamiliar just try and find it - its a fun way of learning them.

I find learning them from CDs dificult but the "Bird Songs and Calls of Britain and Europe" quite good.

Amazon stock that here

I'm still learning and despite the frustration have learnt to take it slowly.
There's a lot to take in what with songs/calls/variation/sub song/immitation.

OwlTalon · Apr 24, 2006

Over here, we have these neat little device called the Birdsong IdentiFlyer. Hand-held green thing with buttons. You purchase cards with different groups of birds on them (seperate from device). Slide the card in the slot, and push the button next to the picture of one of the birds. The device plays the song or call back to you. It has everything from raptors to shorebirds to warblers. Great way to learn! Maybe you guys can get it online.

Chris Oates · Apr 25, 2006

TCondorOwl92 said:
Over here, we have these neat little device called the Birdsong IdentiFlyer. Hand-held green thing with buttons. You purchase cards with different groups of birds on them (seperate from device). Slide the card in the slot, and push the button next to the picture of one of the birds. The device plays the song or call back to you. It has everything from raptors to shorebirds to warblers. Great way to learn! Maybe you guys can get it online.

Amazing gadget - never heard of it in the UK.

Here it is...

Here people buy hand-held PCs with 'Wildsounds' but that costs about $600

Learning Bird Calls Advice (1 Viewer)

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