Sound Guide
How to Identify Bird Sounds (By Ear & With Apps)
Learn a simple step by step way to identify bird sounds by ear, then use apps to confirm tricky calls.
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New Feature
Learn Bird Sounds at Home: Introducing Learning Journeys
Jan 12, 2026 8 min read New Feature
Want to learn bird sounds even when it's dark, cold, or you're stuck inside? Learning Journeys is a new in-app curriculum in Wings & Whistles that helps you identify birds by sound through short, audio-first lessons and low-pressure quizzes.
Whether you're brand new to birdsong or you've been birding for years, Learning Journeys helps you build skill the way you actually learn: repetition, patterns, and real recordings.
Learning Journeys in action — structured lessons to train your ear
What Are Learning Journeys?
Learning Journeys is a tier-based birdsong curriculum that takes you from "I hear it but can't name it" to confident sound ID.
Instead of relying on random luck outdoors, you follow a structured path that builds your ear progressively, one lesson at a time. Think of it as a game-style progression system for birding: you unlock lessons as you master core patterns.
The Three Tiers at Launch
Tier 1: The Regulars
Common backyard and park birds you'll hear everywhere. This tier builds your foundation and calibrates your ear.
Tier 2: Who's Who
Learn to tell similar species apart. No more mixing up sparrows, finches, and other sound-alike groups.
Tier 3: The Tricky Ones
The birds and groups that challenge everyone: warblers, mimics, and dawn specialists.
More tiers are already in development.
30+ Lessons
Backyard Day Shift
Night Shift
Sparrow Sorting Hat
Warbler Earworms
+26
more
How Learning Journeys Works
Each lesson is designed to be quick, practical, and sticky.
1. Audio-First Lesson
A friendly narrator guides you through real bird recordings, highlighting the key characteristics to listen for. You'll also get mnemonics that make sounds easier to remember.
2. Bird Sound Quiz
After you listen, you'll take a short quiz to reinforce what you learned. It's designed for active recall, not stress. You get instant feedback and can retry anytime.
3. Unlock Progress + Build Your Collection
Finish a lesson, unlock the next. Clear a tier, unlock the next tier. Every species you learn also gets added to your personal bird collection.
Left: Track your progress. Right: Test your ear with interactive quizzes.
Why We Built Learning Journeys
Field birding is the best, but it's not always practical. Sometimes it's January, the sun sets at 4 PM, and you still want to improve your birding skills.
Learning Journeys lets you:
- Learn bird calls and songs indoors
- Build a foundation before your next trip
- Practice when you can't get outside
- Stop losing momentum between birding days
It also solves a common pain point: hearing a bird, missing the ID, and having no clear way to learn from it later. Learning Journeys helps you get proactive so the next time you hear it, you recognize it.
What's Included Right Now
Learning Journeys launches with three full tiers covering dozens of species:
- Tier 1: The Regulars
- Tier 2: Who's Who
- Tier 3: The Tricky Ones
New lessons and tiers are already in the works.
Tips for Getting Started
Make the Most of Learning Journeys
- Start from the beginning. Even experienced birders benefit from recalibrating their ear.
- Use headphones. You'll catch more detail in the recordings.
- Repeat lessons. Repetition is the whole cheat code.
- Practice outside. After learning indoors, go listen in the real world.
- Watch your collection grow. It's the easiest way to see your progress.
Available Now
Learning Journeys is available now in the latest version of Wings & Whistles. Update your app and look for the Learning Journeys card on your home screen.
Your first lesson is free, no account required.
Ready to start? Download Wings & Whistles
Have feedback or ideas? Email support@wingsandwhistles.app.
Happy birding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wings & Whistles free to learn bird sounds?
Yes! Your first Learning Journeys lesson is completely free, no account required. Additional lessons are completely free with an account.
Can I learn bird calls without going outside?
Absolutely. Learning Journeys is designed specifically for indoor learning. Train your ear from home, then test your skills in the field when you're ready.
How long are the Learning Journeys lessons?
Each lesson takes about 5-10 minutes, including the quiz. They're designed to fit into short breaks or evening wind-down time.
What's the best way to practice bird song ID?
Combine structured lessons with real-world listening. Learning Journeys teaches you the patterns, then you reinforce them by finding those birds outside.
Do I need headphones to learn bird sounds?
Headphones aren't required, but they help. You'll catch more subtle details in the recordings with good audio quality.
