Key to bird calls, songs and sounds


This represents the initial page in a guide that allows you to identify sounds made by birds. The guide will ask to respond to whether the sound was simple or complex, musical or harsh, etc. At each point, the choices include descriptions of the attributes of sounds found further along that path, and a list of the bird sounds that will be found further on. For each of these choices, a list of bird sounds that conform to this description is given. If you select one of these from the list, and click on the button labelled "Select bird" you will be presented with a page with a URL pointer to a sound file of that bird, and a text description of the sound you will hear.

At each point in the key, select the choice that most nearly characterizes the sound or song you heard. If you change your mind, navigational choices at the top of the page allow you to backtrack to particular choices you made.

Click here to begin navigating the key

This page relates to the number of different notes or sounds contained in the song you heard.


(1) Sound or song consists of a single note. The sound or note may be repeated quickly, but it does not vary in pitch. This includes hoots, honks, chips and trills.

Birds with 1-note sounds, calls or songs.


(2) Sound or song consists of two notes. The notes may vary in pitch or quality (e.g., one harsh, the other clear).


(3) Sound or song consists of three or more notes. This category includes most complicated bird songs, whinnies, squawks, whistles, etc.


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Try the new version of the key (test)
Last revision date of this page: December 21, 2000