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Bird Sounds Interpretation

Bird Language Weekend Course
May 1-3, 2009; 4:30 p.m. Fri. - 4:00 p.m. Sun.; Duvall, WA and field locations in the Puget Sound area; Lead instructor Alexia Stevens. Price $275, Food and camping included. Airport shuttle available, details upon registration.
Call to register: 425-788-1301

Jump start your awareness and rekindle a passion for solving natural mysteries! This course is designed to accommodate students with varying levels of experience, from beginning nature enthusiasts to seasoned birders.

Is that chickadee calm or agitated? Being able to interpret bird sounds and behavior (bird language) and relate them to specific events gives us a window into the world around us, telling us whether the birds are going about their usual business--or a bobcat is sneaking away. (see an example of bird language)

Which species should you know? How do birds react differently to hawks and housecats? What are the universal characteristics of alarm calls, so that you can take your knowledge back into your home habitat?

We’ll answer these questions and more, combining field study with games and class time. Blending science and intuition is vital to this art, so expect bird identification and audio recording as well as exercises to heighten our senses and empathy for the birds. And don't miss the chance to experience the early May dawn chorus!

Call to register: 425-788-1301

Instructor Biographies

Alexia Stevens shares her skills and passion with Bird Language. She is a 2002 Residential Program Graduate, and serves as a staff specialist at the Residential Program and other adult courses. Alexia has worked as a bird biologist in the North Cascades and Olympic National Parks, and has a degree in Environmental Science with a concentration on bird behavior and communication. She is currently recording an audio guide to bird behavior (hear one of her audio clips).

About our Weekend "NatureSkills" Overnight Courses with Airport Shuttle

Each course is designed to deliver high quality, in-depth content on the focus of the class in the community context that is the hallmark of Wilderness Awareness School’s teaching philosophy.

Through sharing meals, telling stories around the fire, and engaging in team learning projects throughout the weekend, participants experientially engage in the natural learning cycle that the school’s curriculum is based upon.

Testimonials from overnight course participants:

"A pattern of learning from nature and learning within community has been imprinted on my brain...I will be learning volumes from this experience for years to come." -Sally N. Johnston

"This courseprovided a vehicle for me to really connect with other people,
myself, and nature. I'll be sorting out and integrating these experiences
for some time to come." -A.N.

"I think one of the things that touched me most was the continual loving, caring support of the entire community this week. I've never felt so loved and accepted, and so much a part of such a wonderful thing as this community. That's something I really want to share with others." -Catherine Erne

Each Weekend focuses on a specific topic from one of each of the school’s curriculum areas, and together provide a thorough grounding in the skills of a naturalist and mentor. The weekend format and airport shuttle makes these courses both affordable and accessible for students both regionally and from around the continent.

What is Bird Language?

Bird Language goes beyond identification of bird sounds and behaviors into interpretation. While we can’t really know what a bird is thinking, they do make reliable vocalizations.

Here is an example:

A robin is singing on a low branch in your yard. You hear his cheeryup, cheerio song.

On your way to get the newspaper, you walk under the branch and disturb that robin. He flies to a higher branch and gives a tyeep tyeep tut-tut- tut call, bobbing his tail in annoyance, then resumes singing.

An hour later, that robin’s tyeep-tut-tut-tut alerts you to the cookie-toting Girl Scouts in your driveway.

That afternoon, you hear his song change to a sharp shriek and then fall silent. In fact, all the birds outside have gone quiet. You look out the window and see a Cooper’s hawk flapping past. The robin is part of your awareness, linking you to what is happening around you...

Ready to learn more? Call to reserve your space in the Bird Language Weekend, or our NatureSkills Intensive: 425-788-1301

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Bird Language Audio Clip:

Crow Beg and Mob.mp3

Comments for this audio clip, by Alexia Stevens.

It sounds best in headphones, or stereo speakers to give the three-dimensional effect. I recorded this with a Sony Hi-MD player and Telinga stereo microphone in a parabolic dish, on June 30, 2007.

I heard a pair of young fledged crows whining as their parents were out
foraging. They glanced at me standing just below them with my big microphone, but didn’t seem to worry. You hear the young birds vocalize more as the parents return with food. Right after the fledglings got fed, the parents noticed me and started yelling.

Listen for the crow begging calls at 6, 18, and 31 seconds. This was before the parents returned.

At 41 seconds Mom and Dad came back. Listen to how their voices are
muffled from the food in their beaks. They fed the babies—listen for the swallowing. At 53 seconds the parents spotted me and really let me have it. You’ll hear the volume change as they swoop towards and away from me.

I love how the voices of individual birds are evident in this recording, from the clueless juveniles to the preoccupied parents suddenly noticing me skulking in the bushes...

Ready to learn more bird sounds interpretation from Alexia? Check out the Bird Language Weekend, or our NatureSkills Intensive courses.

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