Congratulations, you’ve decided to learn more about bird language. Or perhaps a series of coincidences has brought you to this site and you’re not quite sure what we’re talking about. Where should you start?
Wondering what we even mean by bird language?
Start with these pages.
Why learn bird language?
In order to answer that, I first need to be clear about what, for me at least, bird language is NOT about. Bird language is not like learning English or…
You were once a Bird Language Samurai, and can be again
We are hard wired to listen carefully to birds. To listen and learn. Hard wired in the head literally. Our brains are the top-shelf product of millions of years of…
Getting started with regular observation?
Learn how to do it and what to remember.
What is a sit spot?
What is a sit spot? Sit spots are a vital practice for any student of bird language and nature connection. As a kid I’d never even heard about sit spots,…
Joining the Dots: reflections on observation and interpretation
In his remarkable 1986 book Arctic Dreams, the American author and nature writer Barry Lopez, offers us a deeply profound insight concerning the limitations of deriving meaning from natural field…
Record keeping 1: On Keeping Field Notes
This is part 1 of a 3 part series. See also: Record keeping 2: Bird Identification Sheets Record keeping 3: Seasonal Field Diary It was all very well living through…
Record keeping 2: Bird Identification Sheets
This is part 2 of a 3 part series. See also: Record keeping 1: On Keeping Field Notes Record keeping 3: Seasonal Field Diary When you’re just starting out on…
Record keeping 3: Seasonal Field Diary
This is part 3 of a 3 part series. See also: Record keeping 1: On Keeping Field Notes Record keeping 2: Bird Identification Sheets Ok, so this is where you…
Observing a lot but not sure what it means?
Find out what are the birds actually talking about.
The many voices of birds
Although the legendary American naturalist and bird language master, Jon Young and other northerners talk of ‘5 voices of birds’, I’m inclined to disagree. Maybe it’s just bird-nerd semantics, or…
Looking for further resources?
Resources
Ok so here is a collection recommended resources that have really helped me to broaden and deepen both my appreciation for Australia’s unique biological heritage. These writings, when fully absorbed…