Birding by Ear: Eastern and Central North America (Peterson Field Guides(R))

Product Details

Product Reviews

(4 stars) - Birding by Ear
The cds are very good. The organization and presentation are the best I have heard thus far. I especially appreciate the acknowledgement that the pneumonics they use are their favorites and how they encourage everyone to form their own and not rely solely on those of others. Until using this collection I was very frustrated in that I could not relate to the "tricks" of others to identify calls or songs. I now know that I must create my own learning tools in order to go forward with bird call and song recognition.

(5 stars) - Best way to learn birdsongs
The Peterson Field Guide Series' "Birding by Ear Eastern and Central North America" CDs by R. Walton and R Lawson is a fantastic way to learn how to identify more than 85 birds in the eastern half of the USA.

I first started birding with a friends family when I was a kid and was always mystified by their ability to identify a bird without ever seeing it. So when I started to get interested in birding again as an adult I thought that it was a hopeless endeavor to even try, until "Birding by Ear." I received the CDs less than two months ago as a present and after many car rides to and from work my auditory landscape for birding is forever altered. Now, about half of the birds I identify are by sound alone and will definitely be getting "More Birding by Ear" in time for spring migration.

This series includes the following birds:
Disc 1.
N. Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, Gray Catbird, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Red-headed Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, N. Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Belted Kingfisher, American Robin, Scarlet Tanager, Summer Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Red-eyed Vireo, Yellow-throated Vireo, Broad-winged Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Swamp Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Pine Warbler, Cedar Waxwing, Brown-headed Cowbird, E. Kingbird, European Starling.

Disc 2
N. Cardinal, Tufted Titmouse, Baltimore Oriole, E. Meadowlark, Field Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Great-horned Owl, Barred Owl, E. Screech-Owl, Mourning Dove, Great Crested Flycatcher, Acadian Flycatcher, White-breasted Nuthatch, American Woodcock, Green Heron, Black-crowned Night-heron, Ring-necked pheasant, Bobolink, House Wren, American Goldfinch, Whip-poor-will, Chuck-will's-widow, Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Chickadee, E. Phoebe, Killdeer, N Bobwhite, House Finch, Purple Finch, Warbling Vireo, Orchard Oriole, Canada Goose, American Crow, Blue Jay, House Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Song Sparrow.

Disc 3
Black-and-white Warbler, Ovenbird, Kentucky Warbler, Carolina Wren, Hooded Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow Warbler, Northern Parula, Black-throated Green Warbler, American Redstart, Wood Thrush, Veery, Hermit Thrush, Ruffed Gouse, American Woodcock, American Bittern, Chimney Swift, White-eyed Vireo, E. Bluebird, E. Towhee.

And at the end of disc 3 the bird songs are then grouped by likely habitat to quiz how much you've learned.

(5 stars) - Excellent birding resource for beginning naturalist
I work in a state park, and it has been very frustrating trying to learn my birds. I do okay when I see the bird, to the extant that I am able to say what the bird's main features are, though I do not always know what the bird is. Then, the other park employees recommended Birding by Ear: Eastern/Central. What a difference!

The intelligent groupings of characteristic sounds and the commentary for each species was incredibly helpful. The first time I listened to the cd's, I was pleasantly surprised when I heard a song and KNEW that I had heard it before while working in my park! I have been practicing whistling some of the songs along with the cd, as well as saying the mnemonic devices which helps when I am out in the field. You really do begin to hear the verbal phrases. I am pleased to say that I now know five birds by call, which is five more than I knew a month ago!

(5 stars) - Birding By Ear takes time and effort, but is fantastic!
As a beginning birder excited about learning, I was very interested in memorizing bird songs and calls and finally decided to take the plunge. I did look at various products online by myself, but an experienced birder recommended Birding by Ear and thus the decision was finally made... and it was a right one!

This CD does an excellent job as it goes through 80+ birds based on families or song and call style, comparing and contrasting, sharing mnemonics, etc., all of which is helpful. Even though I've only really worked with 1 out of the 3 CDs thus far, and it has taken time and patience, I am already starting to hear and identify the beautiful Creations of bird song. It really opens up a whole new world for birding and I'd recommend it to anyone.

(4 stars) - An excellect way to start learning the language of birds
I am enjoying using these CD's. Learning bird songs and calls is like learning a new language. I like that, in these CD's, the songs and calls are, for all intents and purposes, separated out from other birds. You can clearly hear the bird on which you are focusing. I also like that the songs and calls are repeated. The explanations and "handles" to "grab on to" to hold the particular songs and calls are helpful. (In my opinion, the narrator in these CD's is a bit off, tone-wise, when he imitates the bird with a "handle" phrase, but the phrase is still helpful.)

I mainly listen to the CD's in the car, but in a perfect world, I would listen AND look at the bird I am hearing. I think that would help me learn better. Also, the birds are heard in groupings; I would love to be able to go to the song of a particular bird, rather than a grouping, but...
still a great set of CD's!

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