Taperssection.com

Gear / Technical Help => Post-Processing, Computer / Streaming / Internet Devices & Related Activity => Topic started by: morst on March 18, 2021, 03:29:56 PM

Title: Nature Recording: ID birds by uploading their calls to Cornell's BirdNet!
Post by: morst on March 18, 2021, 03:29:56 PM

https://birdnet.cornell.edu/api/ (https://birdnet.cornell.edu/api/)
It's too cool, like Soundhound or Shazam but for avians!


A really loud bird was outside my window so i rolled voice notes on my phone for 15 seconds and got a good call at mono 48k.
Trimmed and uploaded it, and it's a perfect match for a California Towhee!
Thus explaining the loud drab bird I saw the other day!


Cropped file of the call is attached as WAV, approx 2 sec long. Try it out!
(https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/assets/photo/64989821-1280px.jpg)
(photo from Cornell site)

Title: Re: Nature Recording: ID birds by uploading their calls to Cornell's BirdNet!
Post by: billydee on March 18, 2021, 05:24:05 PM

Cool site, we'll try it!
Speaking of the Towhee, we've had a bunch of the spotted ones hanging around our property here in SW Colorado. Hadn't seem them here previously.

Title: Re: Nature Recording: ID birds by uploading their calls to Cornell's BirdNet!
Post by: Twenty8 on March 22, 2021, 04:16:52 PM

I just bookmarked a TS thread for my birding hobby?  Wild.  Thanks, morst.
I do not bring audio equipment with me, but maybe I should... I am fairly sure that hearing a call is valid ID for most ornithological society list keepers.

Title: Re: Nature Recording: ID birds by uploading their calls to Cornell's BirdNet!
Post by: morst on March 22, 2021, 11:29:23 PM

Quote from: Twenty8 on March 22, 2021, 04:16:52 PM

I just bookmarked a TS thread for my birding hobby?  Wild.  Thanks, morst.
I do not bring audio equipment with me, but maybe I should... I am fairly sure that hearing a call is valid ID for most ornithological society list keepers.

If you can sing the towhee song, I'll be terribly impressed!
Until avians start getting into audio deepfakes, I think this is legit.
That said, the way to destroy the whole thing is to replay recorded birdcalls loudly on hidden speakers while folks are birding!!!!

Title: Re: Nature Recording: ID birds by uploading their calls to Cornell's BirdNet!
Post by: tim in jersey on March 22, 2021, 11:52:01 PM

I was aware of the fact that Cornell had a vast library of recorded bird calls (went down that rabbit hole for days upon days) but was not aware you could upload and get an ID. Cool!

Title: Re: Nature Recording: ID birds by uploading their calls to Cornell's BirdNet!
Post by: Twenty8 on March 23, 2021, 06:43:01 PM

Quote from: morst on March 22, 2021, 11:29:23 PM

Until avians start getting into audio deepfakes, I think this is legit.
That said, the way to destroy the whole thing is to replay recorded birdcalls loudly on hidden speakers while folks are birding!!!!

Birders have been using deepfakes for quite awhile now... it's called playback.  Its a great way to fake a bird into coming closer/out of hiding to check you out.
It's a debate among birders.  I have used it locally, but very rarely.  Its illegal in US Nat'l Parks and NWRs.
Here's a quick primer:
https://www.sibleyguides.com/2011/04/the-proper-use-of-playback-in-birding/

I am sure I will figure out a way to make a discrete setup.  I am not THAT big of a bird nerd... I think... um... don't judge me. ;)

Title: Re: Nature Recording: ID birds by uploading their calls to Cornell's BirdNet!
Post by: tim in jersey on March 23, 2021, 10:49:58 PM

I remember 10+ years ago birders called out the PGA for using bird sounds not indigenous to the locale.

Not a controversy or anything, just interesting that folks picked up on that.

I'm a bit of strange bird myself, so I'm liking this thread  ;D

Title: Re: Nature Recording: ID birds by uploading their calls to Cornell's BirdNet!
Post by: tim in jersey on March 23, 2021, 11:13:26 PM

Quote from: morst on March 23, 2021, 11:08:26 PM

Quote from: tim in jersey on March 23, 2021, 10:49:58 PM

I remember 10+ years ago birders called out the PGA for using bird sounds not indigenous to the locale.

BOWLERS???
I mean GOLFERS????

I'm sure there's a joke there that went completely over my pea-skull. Explain for the dummies (me)?