More About Bird Recordings
I've been working with bird recordings, as time allows, for a few weeks now. I'm feeling some time pressure, because SoundCloud allows a one-month free trial subscription and then it charges $10 per month, which I can't afford right now. Time is running out... [NOTE: So far, SoundCloud hasn't charged me for using the upload service, and it's been 3 months, so I'm hoping the monthly fee doesn't apply to what I'm doing.]
I've learned how to edit out the annoying airplane noise using the High Pass Filter option in Audacity. I usually set it to: Rolloff=48 dB; Cutoff Frequency=1000, which works pretty well for most recordings. Sometimes there are annoying camera clicks that I haven't worked out how to eliminate (sometimes I cut them out, if they don't interfere with the bird sounds and timing).
Identifying birds by sound alone (when you're just a novice like me) is very hard. Sometimes I can supplement the sound recordings with photos, but my photos tend to be small and blurry when the bird is far away (i.e., most of the time). This is taking much time and patience, but I'm learning a lot about birds, and becoming familiar with those in this area.
Observations
What
Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana)Observer
truthseqrDescription
Western Bluebird family. Both parents were taking turns feeding the babies in a birdhouse.
Original file was a *.mov video taken with a Kodak digital camera.
Used Convertio.co to convert *.mov to *.wav format.
Used Audacity to edit out excessive background noise from airplanes and hikers using the High Pass Filter (48 dB Rolloff and 1500 Hz Cutoff Frequency)
Reference:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Western_Bluebird/sounds
Chicks and food delivery at nest
What
Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus)Observer
truthseqrDescription
This spotted towhee was sifting through the dry leaves to find bugs on the forest floor. I saw it, but wasn't able to get a photo. Instead I captured a sound track of the mew calls & chips. The crackling sound is the bird sifting through dry leaves.
Reference:
http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/spotted-towhee
What
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)Observer
truthseqrDescription
I saw this tiny red-headed woodpecker high up in an oak tree and heard its drum (which was a short burst of 3-5 beats). I was able to capture an audio clip of its tweek calls before it flew away.
Original file was 101_2647.mov, a video taken with a Kodak digital camera.
Used Convertio.co to convert *.mov to *.wav format.
Used Audacity to edit out the roaring airplane noise in the background using the High Pass Filter (Rolloff=48 dB; Cutoff Frequency=1000 Hz). Set Amplification to -3db for consistency with other audio clips.
Reference:
http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/downy-woodpecker
What
Wrentit (Chamaea fasciata)Observer
truthseqrDescription
I didn't see this bird, but I heard its song, loud and clear.
Original file was 101_2698.mov, a video taken with a Kodak digital camera.
Used Convertio.co to convert *.mov to *.wav format.
Used Audacity to edit out the roaring airplane noise in the background using the High Pass Filter (Rolloff=48 dB; Cutoff Frequency=1000 Hz). Set Peak Amplification to -3db for consistency with other audio clips.
Reference:
http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/wrentit
What
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina)Observer
truthseqrDescription
I didn't see this bird, only heard its song.
Reference: http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/chipping-sparrow
What
Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus)Observer
truthseqrDescription
This woodpecker was perched on the top branch of a dead oak tree and it was making a lot of noise. It had a red cap, a black mask, black wings, and a white belly.
Sound Reference:
http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/hairy-woodpecker
Original file was 101_2796.mov, a video taken with a Kodak digital camera.
Used Convertio.co to convert *.mov to *.wav format.
Used Audacity to edit out the roaring airplane noise in the background using the High Pass Filter (Rolloff=48 dB; Cutoff Frequency=1000 Hz). Set Peak Amplification to -3dB for consistency with other audio clips.
What
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)Observer
truthseqrDescription
Note: could not edit out the airplane noise in the background without interfering with the bird's coo.
Sound Reference:
http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/mourning-dove
Original file was 101_2750.mov, a video taken with a Kodak digital camera.
Used Convertio.co to convert *.mov to *.wav format.
Used Audacity to edit out background noise using the Low Pass Filter (Rolloff=48 dB; Cutoff Frequency=1000 Hz). Set Peak Amplification to -3dB for consistency with other audio clips.
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