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Message: <blockquote data-quote="cnybirder" data-source="post: 1274735" data-attributes="member: 54010">I believe heard birds should be counted only if you are sure that is that they are (anything that is doubtful I don't count). Rare birds generally shouldn't be counted if heard only because of their rarity, however Records Committees do accept recordings sometimes if the bird cannot be seen. I do alot of birding by ear and anything I can ID by ear I include although I see almost everything. I am fairly familiar with almost all the bird sounds in my area as well as many in other parts of the country. For the most part there shouldn't be much confusion with other species.There are some birds like Red-shouldered Hawks that should be seen because Blue Jays can be pretty good at imitating them but for the most part it is not hard to ID birds accurately by ear so there is no reason not to count them. Also I keep my lists on Ebird which means that I have to count it if I submit it and I submit everything because they need complete lists. I have only one heard only bird on my life list and year list - Sedge Wren.Some have commented elsewhere (Birdchat) saying that birding by ear makes you a less experienced birder but in my opinion it really helps your skills and bird finding ability.</blockquote>