BIRDING BY EAR uses an educational and entertaining method for learning bird songs. Instead of merely providing a catalog of bird song samples, BIRDING BY EAR actually teaches. This proven method has greatly enhanced the field experience for birders across North America. The authors have created learning groups of similar vocalizations and clearly point out distinguishing characteristics. Using techniques such as phonetics, mnemonics, and descriptive words, Walton and Lawson provide a context for learning the songs and calls of eighty-five species of birds found east of the Rockies. Combine the auditory instruction here with the visual features of the Peterson Identification System. Page numbers in BIRDING BY EAR's booklet refer to species descriptions in the PETERSON FIELD GUIDE TO BIRDS OF EASTERN AND CENTRAL NORTH AMERICA, fifth edition.
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"(Birding by Ear and More Birding by Ear) are the best tools yet for learning bird vocalizations." - Science Times
About the Author
Roger Tory Peterson, one of the world's greatest naturalists, received every major award for ornithology, natural science, and conservation as well as numerous honorary degrees, medals, and citations, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The Peterson Identification System has been called the greatest invention since binoculars. These editions include updated material by Michael O'Brien, Paul Lehman, Bill Thompson III, Michael DiGiorgio, Larry Rosche, and Jeffrey A. Gordon.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
139 of 139 people found the following review helpful
By A Reader
Format:Audio CD
I spend alot of time outdoors and have always been curious about identifying birds, trees and wildflowers around me. This set of CDs is the second set of bird calls I have purchased (and this does not even include all the on-line browsing and listening at the USGS Patuxent site). I have had a lot of difficulty with single bird/associated song or call types of audio (ie. name of bird-recording of call, next bird...). There are a lot of birds out there, and it is tough memory recall when you have a CD of 200 some bird calls and it is basically rote memorization to try to remember them. Not a whole lot of fun if you are a relative amateur and trying to learn to identify birds by call confidently. Those CDs will probably be useful for reference at a later time, but not now.
I then picked up the Learning By Ear CDs. Wow! This is what I should have bought a long time ago. There are 85 birds included on these 3 CDs, but they are grouped in a very intelligent fashion. Instead of just rote memorization, the birds are grouped by category. There is a really nice introduction on the first CD and then birds are presented BY GROUP (ie. Sing-Songers, Chippers and Trillers, Name-Sayers...). I cannot emphasize enough how useful this approach is to learning. Instead of just giving the sounds of, say, a Downy Woodpeckers, the CD pairs similar sounding woodpeckers so you learn that a Downy has a descending whinny and a Hairy Woodpecker has an even sounding rattle - they are compared and contrasted together it is very effective. I learned more listening to these CDs than I ever learned through rote memorization.... Read more ›
I then picked up the Learning By Ear CDs. Wow! This is what I should have bought a long time ago. There are 85 birds included on these 3 CDs, but they are grouped in a very intelligent fashion. Instead of just rote memorization, the birds are grouped by category. There is a really nice introduction on the first CD and then birds are presented BY GROUP (ie. Sing-Songers, Chippers and Trillers, Name-Sayers...). I cannot emphasize enough how useful this approach is to learning. Instead of just giving the sounds of, say, a Downy Woodpeckers, the CD pairs similar sounding woodpeckers so you learn that a Downy has a descending whinny and a Hairy Woodpecker has an even sounding rattle - they are compared and contrasted together it is very effective. I learned more listening to these CDs than I ever learned through rote memorization.... Read more ›
178 of 181 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Listening to this 3-CD set for the first time, I cycled through an entire manic-depressive episode. The depression occurred early on the first CD, track 4--"Sing-Songers." If there was one bird song I thought I knew it was the American Robin's cheerful warble. Now I learn that there are three other birds that sound EXACTLY like the robin to me: the Scarlet Tanager; the Summer Tanager; and the Rose-Breasted Grosbeak.
Oh no! I'm going to have to listen to these CDs a hundred times before I can even be confident of the robin again.
Later that same night, as I was crawling moodily into bed, I cranked open the window and heard a series of low hoots that sounded like, "Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you?"--Instant mood swing. I lay there grinning in the dark, because I had just identified a Barred Owl. He sounded exactly like he did on these CDs.
There is something so satisfying about being able to identify a song or a flower or even an animal track, as a reminder of the lives being lived around us--some of them very strange and beautiful. You will be amazed the first time you step outside after listening to these CDs, by how the orchestra of bird song begins to sort itself out into individual instruments. I was able to identify the Song Sparrow and the Oven Bird--two shy, unseen songsters that had been puzzling me for years.
Each of the tracks in this CD set contains narration as well as bird calls and bird song. Birds are grouped on a track based on similarity of song, which is why you'll find the Mourning Dove on the Owl track. According to the narrator, many people mistake them for owls.
At the end of the third CD, bird songs and calls are grouped together by habitat.
... Read more ›74 of 75 people found the following review helpful
By "carolgy"
Format:Audio CD
When I first received this CD I was disappointed & overwhelmed. I thought, how could I possibly learn any of these bird calls (I'm 50 years old). It seemed like a monumental task. Well, I kept listening over and over (thinking the mnemonics were silly) and low and behold things started to click. I made a few forays into the field and was very excited when I heard bird calls and the mnemonics made sense. I still get excited when I'm able to identify a bird by song or call. I even find myself doing it on TV commercials. This CD isn't any good if you don't include field work with it. Practice, practice, practice and one day you will be out in the field and hear a bird and know exactly what you are looking for. This CD has made me a much better birder.
67 of 68 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I listen to these CDs while working out at the gym and boy did it pay off. While on vacation last summer in Vermont I could identify almost every bird call I heard without even trying. My ears would prick up at every sound of a bird and I would know what it was. It's a great feeling to take a walk in the woods or to garden in your back yard and know who is out there with you without fumbling with your binoculars. These are excellent CDs.
26 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
"The songs we're now hearing are ancient tunes..."
So begins Dick Walton's evocative and thoughtful narrative to these wonderful birdsong recordings. I learned many bird songs when I was young. That knowledge has stayed with me over the years but I always wanted to learn more. I became aware of this CD after purchasing The Singing Life of Birds by Donald Kroodsma. Kroodsma's enjoyable book contains a CD which includes owl recordings from the Peterson Field Guide. I liked those so much I tracked down this CD to hear more. I wasn't disappointed. This is an excellent CD set. The field recordings and production values are second to none. The sound quality is superb. Dick Walton helps us sort out all of these complex sounds and match them to the birds that sing them. What a pleasure it is to sit and listen to this three CD set through headphones. The CD package also comes with a 62 page identification guide showing all the birds whose beautiful songs are captured in these recordings.
So begins Dick Walton's evocative and thoughtful narrative to these wonderful birdsong recordings. I learned many bird songs when I was young. That knowledge has stayed with me over the years but I always wanted to learn more. I became aware of this CD after purchasing The Singing Life of Birds by Donald Kroodsma. Kroodsma's enjoyable book contains a CD which includes owl recordings from the Peterson Field Guide. I liked those so much I tracked down this CD to hear more. I wasn't disappointed. This is an excellent CD set. The field recordings and production values are second to none. The sound quality is superb. Dick Walton helps us sort out all of these complex sounds and match them to the birds that sing them. What a pleasure it is to sit and listen to this three CD set through headphones. The CD package also comes with a 62 page identification guide showing all the birds whose beautiful songs are captured in these recordings.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
quality cds
very clear recordings of bird songs and calls; well organized with good narrations; helpful accompanying instruction book; not too overwhelming
Published 19 days ago by flowernoire
5.0 out of 5 stars
A "must have" resource if you like birdwatching or photography
If you are interested in bird watching, bird photography, or just making nature hikes more interesting, then I highly recommend these CDs. Read more
Published 24 days ago by Dave
5.0 out of 5 stars
The discs make it easy to identify birds
Often all I have to go on is the bird call. When I combine it with my database searches, I can identify what birds are in my immediate area at the time they are there - whether I... Read more
Published 26 days ago by Sallyem
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great System for Birding by Sound
This is a tough topic, but is presented in an organized and very understandable way. He provides a framework that you can apply or adapt to your personal learning style and you... Read more
Published 1 month ago by James D. Eggensperger
5.0 out of 5 stars
For the tunefully challenged
I have a terrible ear for learning music let alone bird song. And yet I am picking up bird songs slowly but surely. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Sylvia Stanat
5.0 out of 5 stars
Birding by Ear
This is the best CD for bird songs. It teaches you a methodology on how to listen to a birds song or call which will allow you to quickly narrow down which bird you are likely... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Fred Innamorato
4.0 out of 5 stars
Chirp Chirp.. Tweet tweet
This CD has helped me get to know bird songs and calls, I just wish that the birds in the groups were on individual tracts, would help to sort on my ipod.. Great to use!
Published 3 months ago by decka
5.0 out of 5 stars
Still the BEST for Learning Bird Calls
I have purchased Dick Walton's "Birding by Ear" several times since it was first published in 1989. (The first purchase was a cassette tape. Read more
Published 3 months ago by S. McInnis
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great tool to help learn bird sounds
I purchased this to help my son learn some of the various bird calls he needed for a class. It was definitely helpful, and I can use it as a teacher as well.
Published 5 months ago by Myra Elizabeth
5.0 out of 5 stars
Birding by Ear
As a new Birder, this has been very enjoyable to listen to in my car.
the speaker voice was clear and easy to understand. I also bought the Field guide. Read more
the speaker voice was clear and easy to understand. I also bought the Field guide. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Thelma A. Cooney
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