Bird watching is a popular hobby that allows people to get outside and enjoy nature while learning about different bird species. Many bird watchers enjoy not just observing birds visually but also acoustically by listening to their songs and calls. Recording birdsongs is a great way to help identify species and study bird behaviors. However, quality recordings require having the right equipment. This article will provide an overview of the key equipment needed for recording wild birds.
Audio Recorder
The most essential piece of equipment for recording birds is an audio recorder. There are many options on the market from basic handheld recorders to high-end professional field recorders. For most hobbyists, a handheld digital recorder in the $100-$300 price range will be sufficient. Key factors to consider are:
Recording Quality: Look for a recorder that can capture high-quality recordings, such as a minimum of 44.1 kHz sampling rate and 16-bit depth WAV files. Higher quality 96/24 WAV recordings are ideal but will require more storage space.
Microphones: Most handheld recorders will come with built-in stereo microphones. For best results, look for omni-directional condenser microphones that offer high sensitivity and a flat frequency response. Microphone jacks allow plugging in external microphones.
Weather Resistance: Outdoor recording requires a recorder with durable construction that can withstand moisture and dust. Rubberized bodies help ensure water resistance.
Battery Life: Long battery life lets you record for extended periods in the field. Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are preferred over disposable batteries.
Storage Capacity: Higher capacity memory cards allow longer recordings. Look for at least 32GB of storage and make sure the device supports removable SD cards up to 128GB or more.
Some top handheld audio recorders for field recording include the Zoom H1n, Tascam DR-05X, Sony ICD-PX470, and Roland R-07. While more expensive, professional field recorders like the Sound Devices MixPre-3 provide studio-quality recordings.
Microphones
While built-in microphones work decently, using external microphones can vastly improve sound quality. There are several types of microphones to consider:
Shotgun Microphones: These highly directional microphones pick up sounds from longer distances. They reduce ambient noise and let you isolate bird vocalizations. Popular shotgun mics include the Sennheiser MKE 400 and Audio-Technica AT875R.
Lavalier Microphones: Small lavalier or lapel microphones clip onto clothing near the recorder. Being closer to the source means excellent sound quality and reduces handling noise.
Parabolic Microphones: These dish-shaped microphones amplify distant sounds from a specific direction. They require careful positioning but enable recording shy birds from afar.
Stereo Microphones: For immersive birdsong recordings, small stereo condenser microphones capture realistic spatial imaging. They provide more natural results than shotguns.
Using a foam windscreen, shock mount, and boom pole enhances external mic recordings. Phantom power is required for condenser microphone models. Adapter cables allow connecting mics to the recorder.
Headphones and Audio Software
Quality headphones help monitor audio levels and ensure good recordings in real-time. Closed-back studio headphones like the Sony MDR-7506 block background noise. Listening while recording with headphones prevents missed takes.
For editing and analyzing recordings, audio software becomes necessary. Programs like Audacity (free) and Adobe Audition provide tools for cleaning up files, editing, adjusting levels, removing noise, and slowing down or speeding up playback to hear bird vocalizations in greater detail. Spectrogram views visualize the bird songs.
Camera and Lenses
Though not required, using a camera in conjunction with audio recording enables documenting the birds visually. Photos and videos complement the sound recordings. Any basic DSLR or mirrorless camera with a zoom lens in the 200-400mm range will work well. Features like fast burst shooting and silent electronic shutter help capture active birds.
A telephoto zoom paired with a teleconverter gives more reach for photographing distant or reclusive species. A lightweight tripod or monopod helps stabilize the camera for clearer shots. Camera camouflage may also allow getting closer to wary birds. Pay attention to lighting, exposure settings, focus, and composition when photographing birds.
Bird Call Playback Devices
Using pre-recorded bird calls can help attract certain species into view for better recording and photography opportunities. Electronic bird call players allow conveniently broadcasting species-specific sounds to pique a bird’s curiosity.
Handheld devices designed for birding like the Foxpro Fury 2 have built-in speakers and offer remote control playback of high-quality bird calls. Apps like Bird Genie provide bird call libraries that can be played from smartphones through portable Bluetooth speakers.
Only use bird call playback judiciously for attracting birds and avoid overuse which can disrupt natural behaviors. Always respect ethical birding practices.
Birdwatching Binoculars
A good pair of binoculars serves as a vital piece of birdwatching gear alongside recording equipment. Binoculars enable properly identifying and observing bird behaviors at a distance.
Look for binoculars that offer:
– Magnification of at least 8x for detail. 10x is ideal.
– Objective lens diameter of at least 42mm for sufficient light-gathering.
– Waterproof and fogproof construction.
– Wide field of view.
– Close focus down to 6 feet or less.
Top recommended binoculars include the Nikon Monarch 5, Bushnell Legend Ultra HD, and Vortex Diamondback HD. Use a binocular harness and lens covers to protect the optics when not in use.
Birding Field Guide
A good field guide is indispensable for accurately identifying all the birds encountered. National Geographic and Sibley produce the top illustrated field guides. Select a guide that covers your regional location. Cross-reference distinctive physical features, plumage markings, size, behavior, voice, habitat, and range maps to positively ID species.
Field guide apps like Audubon Bird Guide and iBird Pro offer portable digital versions enhanced with bird songs and calls. However, paper guides avoid issues like phone battery life and screen glare outdoors. It’s useful to carry both types.
Additional Useful Gear
Some other pieces of gear that can aid bird recording in the field include:
Weatherproof case or bag – Protects recording equipment from rain, dust and impacts. Pelican hard cases offer maximum protection.
Hiking shoes/boots – Provide good traction and ankle support when traversing uneven terrain.
Camp chair – A folding compact seat allows comfortable stationary recording and observation.
Pop-up hunting blind – Portable camouflage tent lets you conceal presence from wary birds.
Knee pads or cushion – Reduces ground pressure when crouching for long periods.
Snacks and water – Stay energized and hydrated on lengthy recording outings.
Spare batteries – Bring extra batteries and memory cards to continue recording all day.
First aid kit – Contains bandages, medicine, etc. in case of minor injuries.
Recommended Camera Settings
To properly photograph birds in action along with recording their sounds, use these camera settings for best results:
Mode: Use Shutter Priority (Tv or S) mode to control shutter speed while the camera chooses the aperture for proper exposure.
Shutter speed: Set a fast minimum shutter speed of 1/1000th sec to freeze bird motion. Adjust higher to 1/2500th for hummingbirds and other fast movers.
ISO: Increase the ISO to at least 800-1600 to allow faster shutter speeds in lower light. Use modes like Auto ISO to prevent blur.
Focus: Select AI Servo autofocus mode to track moving subjects. Choose continuous high-speed burst shooting to capture multiple frames.
Drive mode: High-speed continuous drive mode shoots 6-10 frames per second to capture birds in flight or brief song displays.
Exposure compensation: Since bird plumage is often dark, dial in +1 to +2EV compensation to brighten exposure.
Following these camera settings will help you get sharp, properly exposed photos to complement your birdsong recordings.
Post-Processing
After a recording session, certain post-processing steps help prepare your audio files:
Editing: Trim the start and end of recordings, remove unwanted sections, and combine the best takes into a seamless final cut.
Filtering: Use high-pass and low-pass filters to remove ambient noise outside the bird vocalization frequencies.
Normalization: Adjust levels so the bird song peaks at around -3dB to -1dB for optimal volume without clipping distortion.
Metadata tagging: Add details like date, location, species, etc. Make files easy to organize and search.
Format conversion: Export final .WAV files to compressed MP3/AAC if desired for easier online sharing and mobile playback.
Post-processing ensures you end up with high-quality, polished recordings ready for publication or personal archiving.
Sharing Your Recordings
Once your files are complete, consider sharing them with online scientific databases to contribute valuable data for research:
Xeno Canto – Massive crowdsourced collection of worldwide bird sounds for scientists. Upload your recordings to help.
Macaulay Library – Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s repository of animal sounds and videos to study behavior.
eBird – App for reporting bird sightings also allows submitting soundscapes with automated species recognition.
You can also share recordings through your personal website or social channels to educate others about bird biodiversity. Just be careful not to disclose endangered species nest sites.
How to Find and Attract Birds to Record
To maximize your chances of recording a diversity of species, follow these bird finding and attracting strategies:
– Use eBird hotspot finder to locate birding areas populated with target species.
– Concentrate efforts during peak migration seasons and nesting times when activity is highest.
– Go at prime times such as early morning when birds vocally active.
– Follow bird chatter and movement to track down flocks.
– Research preferred foods and set up feeders/fruit to draw them in.
– Use field-craft like hiding blinds to get near shy birds.
– Mimic calls sparingly with playback to pull in breeding males.
– Record near nests but keep respectable distance to not disturb nesting.
– Try various habitats from forests to wetlands to find their preferred homes.
– Return to productive spots and be patient; birds move unpredictably.
– Join guided birding tours to benefit from expert ability to attract species.
With the right equipment and techniques, you’ll capture wonderful recordings to enjoy bird songs long after the day in the field.
