Bird Academy Quarterly: Echoes of Spring

© Ryan Schain | Macaulay Library

Bird Academy Quarterly: Echoes of Spring

Bird Academy Quarterly: Echoes of Spring

Spring is in the air, and we couldn’t be more excited! With an abundance of birdsong in the air, migrating birds on the wing, and exciting projects in the works, we have a lot to share this spring. Here are just a few updates and resources from Bird Academy.

Mystery Sound: Who’s Calling?

A dusky sky over a cleared field, with trees on its border.
A dusky clearing sets the stage. Who’s performing?
Image: Lily Morello | Macaulay Library
Mystery Recording © Tom Johnson / Macaulay Library

Often heard before it’s seen, this bird’s sound enriches the soundscapes of spring! Do you recognize this sound? Find the answer and learn more about this bird in the spotlight!

Discover this Performer

Articles to Explore

A small bird with a bright yellow throat perches on a flowering branch, singing
A Yellow-throated Warbler sings.
Image: Ryan Sanderson | Macaulay Library

Why Record Bird Sound?

Recording the birds you hear can give you extra insight into the world of birds. Here’s our top reasons to get started with bird sound recording.

Tune in to Returning Warblers

Warblers have some of our favorite songs and calls! Listening to returning warblers in spring is a great joy. Can you tell these three spring migrants apart?

Learn with Bird Academy

Our self-paced, online courses will help you connect to birds this spring—and every season! Check out our full course list, or peruse the exciting spring-themed courses below.

Image: Alex Lamoreaux

Bird Song Basics: Getting Started with Birding by Ear

Start building birding-by-ear journey by learning listening techniques and practicing with innovative learning tools.

Image: Arvo Poolar

Joy of Birdwatching

Welcome to birdwatching! Get all the tools, tips, and inspiration you need to get started.

Notable News and Updates

  • Get ready for gull ID. That’s right: ID enthusiasts will be pleased to know that our highly requested Be a Better Birder: Gull Identification course is available for pre-order now. Please look forward to the full release of content on May 15, 2025
  • A Week Full of Gulls on @cornellbirds Instagram: Get ready for a parade of funny, quirky, adorable gulls on our Instagram page starting April 21, 2025. We’ll be posting the best examples of zany gull behavior we could find in the Macaulay Library. Head to the contest page to see all winning comments so far, vote on your favorites and win some prizes!
  • BirdWise is almost here! We’ve been hard at work developing a new resource that can help you learn the birds you’re interested in learning, nearby or afar, for 640+ species in the U.S. and Canada. You might see more news on BirdWise in the coming week as we get the final touches ready to go. Stay tuned!