An Audio Guide to Identifying New England Birds By Their Sounds

Species Comparison - Black-capped Chickadee & Eastern PhoebeOur first lesson will compare the Black-capped chickadee (song) with the Eastern phoebe (song). These two species have simple vocalizations that are relatively easy to recognize and remember, but many beginner birders accidently confused the sweet-whistled song of the Black-capped chickadee (song) for that of the Eastern phoebe that has a more raspy song (song). We'll learn about each species' vocalizations separately, and then compare them directly. We'll begin with the Black-capped chickadee.

The 17 bird species introduced in this section are some of the most common species you will encounter regularly in rural and suburban yards throughout New England. Anyone interested in learning how to identify birds by their songs and calls should focus first on the bird species that you are able to observe most frequently.

Introduction to the course