# Is there a database of bird-song samples I can access? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 24, 2011, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-database-of-bird-song-samples-i-can-access/593873 "2011-08-24T06:02:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2011, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-database-of-bird-song-samples-i-can-access/593873/1 "2011-08-24T06:02:14Z")
I’d like to hear the sounds of various birds in order to find one type/name. I have no idea how I’d browse such a database–it probably would be geographical, for starters–but I’d cross that bridge when I come to it. If the files had no other media I could cross-reference them with any reputable photo guide. There is this bird outside my bedroom window which wakes me up every morning at 5:00 AM and I’d like to murder it. Or at least know what it is so I can curse it properly. Thanks, Leo ---
**Author:** ![MikeS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MikeS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeS)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2011, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-database-of-bird-song-samples-i-can-access/593873/2 "2011-08-24T12:27:17Z")
Well, field guides of bird songs do exist — [here’s one](http://www.amazon.com/Field-Guide-Bird-Songs-Peterson/dp/0618225943/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1314188523&sr=1-3), [here’s another.](http://www.amazon.com/Stokes-Field-Guide-Bird-Songs/dp/1607887835/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1314188523&sr=1-4) These essentially consist of a CD of bird calls that, if you were so inclined, you could listen to. I’m not sure that there’s a freely available database of this type online, though. [All About Birds](http://www.allaboutbirds.org/Page.aspx?pid=1189) has sound samples for most species, but they’re not concatenated like you’re describing. ---
**Author:** ![Peanuthead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peanuthead/32/360_2.png) [@Peanuthead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peanuthead)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2011, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-database-of-bird-song-samples-i-can-access/593873/3 "2011-08-24T14:18:15Z")
IIRC Cornell University has a database of birdcalls. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2011, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-database-of-bird-song-samples-i-can-access/593873/4 "2011-09-12T10:57:18Z")
I came to mention the Cornell lab. Here is the link: [Bird ID Skills: How to Learn Bird Songs and Calls | All About Birds All About Birds](http://www.birds.cornell.edu/Page.aspx?pid=1059) ---
**Author:** ![Jethro1200](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@Jethro1200](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jethro1200)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2011, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-database-of-bird-song-samples-i-can-access/593873/5 "2011-09-12T14:30:34Z")
[http://www.xeno-canto.org/](http://www.xeno-canto.org/) ---
**Author:** ![Troppus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a587f6/32.png) [@Troppus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troppus)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2011, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-database-of-bird-song-samples-i-can-access/593873/6 "2011-09-12T15:16:08Z")
The [Macaulay Library at Cornell](http://macaulaylibrary.org/index.do)is far more comprehensive than All About Birds, and searches can be narrowed by region. ---
**Author:** ![Laggard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de053/32.png) [@Laggard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laggard)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2011, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-database-of-bird-song-samples-i-can-access/593873/7 "2011-09-12T16:43:04Z")
> [@Jethro1200](#): > > [http://www.xeno-canto.org/](http://www.xeno-canto.org/) Best resource available for calls. Simply awesome. ---
**Author:** ![MikeS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MikeS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeS)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2011, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-database-of-bird-song-samples-i-can-access/593873/8 "2011-09-12T16:58:08Z")
> [@Troppus](#): > > The [Macaulay Library at Cornell](http://macaulaylibrary.org/index.do)is far more comprehensive than All About Birds, and searches can be narrowed by region. I believe it’s also subscription-only, but I could be wrong about that. Both websites are run by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology; beyond that, I’m not sure what their relationship to each other is. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2011, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-database-of-bird-song-samples-i-can-access/593873/9 "2011-09-12T18:14:13Z")
> [@MikeS](#): > > I believe it’s also subscription-only, but I could be wrong about that. Both websites are run by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology; beyond that, I’m not sure what their relationship to each other is. All About Birds is a resource for identification of North American Birds. This is probably best for the OP’s needs. The Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds is a much more extensive collection of recordings of all kinds of animals, although it is mostly birds. It includes species from around the world. You can listen to most calls on line for free, but if you actually want a copy I believe you have to pay. Xeno-canto is a free collection of recordings uploaded mostly by birders and some professional ornithologists. It is mostly concentrated on the tropics, but includes recordings from other areas as well. It’s a great resource and I use it all the time. The annoying bird singing outside the window at 5 AM is probably a Mockingbird. ---
**Author:** ![MikeS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MikeS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeS)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2011, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-database-of-bird-song-samples-i-can-access/593873/10 "2011-09-12T20:41:15Z")
Upon further reflection & investigation, it appears I was thinking of the [Birds of North America](http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/) website, which is also run by the Cornell Lab, is also focused on North American birds, but is significantly more detailed than All About Birds and requires a subscription. ---
**Author:** ![Bordesley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c89c15/32.png) [@Bordesley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bordesley)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2011, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-database-of-bird-song-samples-i-can-access/593873/11 "2011-09-13T15:02:48Z")
[www.rspb.org.uk](http://www.rspb.org.uk) › Birds and wildlife › Bird guide › Birds by name On this Royal Society for the Protection of Birds site [RSPB] each bird is listed alphabetically and each page contains a recording of the bird’s song.