Back from yet another wonderful birding trip to Mallorca, I have decided I want to not only take photographs but also recognise which birds are singing.
In Mallorca I tried to memorise the bee eaters song (dl from wikipedia). I listened to it at least 10-15 times in the course of 3 days. I also tried to compare the song to something I know. So I thought it sounds a bit like jodelling. Then I actually saw a group of bee-eaters at Son Bosc and heard them, too. It just sounded nothing like I'd have recognised. The only birds I do recognise are blackbirds and sparrows as I've seen and heard them often.
Why can't they all have a distinct call like say a kookoo? 8-P
Anyway, long story short: Is there some "trick" that you recognise birds by their songs? What would you recommend for me to do to successfully determine a bird by its song?
I can't really offer much more than what you've done because for me when I hear a bird and I see that bird, following it through my lens for a while; it sticks and I don't forget it. I've only been taking real notice of birds for around a year now but I reckon I can instantly recognise the call of the vast majority I've seen, if not all. The one thing I always do, and it may help you, is name the bird as I'm walking down the path or wherever listening to them singing. 'Not because I particularly want to prove anything to anyone else, it's just nice to hear them sing and knowing which bird is making the sound.
'Doesn't mean I can't get caught out. Yesterday, I was pretty sure I had a new bird. 'Turned out to be a reed bunting. I've seen thousands of reed buntings over the course of a year but I've never heard them make that particular sound. I've also been caught out by sight, and the light that can shine on the bird at a particular time of the day in a way which is deceiving, I'm thinking of both pigeon and female reed bunting recently. But, if it doesn't stick, then why not have a little quiz as you walk and try and guess the singing bird? That way, it'll start to stick. You'll always get something wrong, however, as I did with a female reed bunting, which before I zoomed in on my picture I thought I had an hitherto undiscovered bird! The light was shining on her in such a way that made a bird I've seen thousands of times look completely different.
Edited to add: if you're out quite a bit watching birds and then editing the photos, then there isn't much time left for listening to songs on You Tube or wherever. Over the last weekend, I was out 7 in the morning 'til 7 night each day and then photo editing after, which doesn't leave much room for listening to songs. I suppose it depends on what is more important to you, but I can hand on heart say that the vast majority of birds I've seen I would instantly recognise their call and that's simply through hearing them, waiting for them to come into view and then following them through my lens. And, it follows that when you hear a new sound you're really keen to see what is coming into view and you don't forget it.