SUMMARY

for Slide Show Program and/or Weekend Class

• Why do birds sing and how and when do they learn their repertoires?

• Do you wish to improve your birding by ear skills by knowing more about the ecology of singing birds?

• What are the social and survival value reasons why birds have both songs and calls? – and which birds possess both? Songs only? Calls only?

• What about the different non-vocal sounds birds create that immediately reveal their identity?

• Do “song memory phrases” and “mnemonic” phrases help you remember the identity of the singers you hear? (You can see a list of 200+ “song memory phrases” at Daniel’s Web site: http://www.warblerwatch.com)

• And, for that matter, will you finally and absolutely PLEASE tell me why “pishing” works like a magnet to coax birds closer into view?

The answers to these questions and many others are highlighted in this program, which can range in length from a one-hour slide show* to a one- to four-day class featuring indoor activities and field trip experiences.

(* = As an add-on feature to a slide show, Daniel often leads a birding outing on the ensuing morning after an evening slide show and/or remains for the weekend to present an extended class/workshop.)

As a dynamic and colorful slide show, “Bird Songing” features images of birds and recordings of their vocalizations to illustrate the “what, why and how” of both songs and calls by:

· highlighting different kinds and patterns of bird vocalizations—songs, calls, sub-song, whisper song, repertoires, mimicry, dialects, and duets;

· explaining reasons why researchers believe songs are used versus calls;

· featuring various non-vocal, structural sounds made by birds during courtship;

· nterpreting the meaning of bird song in relation to pitch and frequency, in addition to playing bird sounds next to easy-to-understand “sonograms”

Informational handouts are available, if you wish.

Biography of Daniel Edelstein:

Birder (for 30+ years), Ecologist, Biologist, and published Science Writer since 1981, Daniel works as a Contract Biologist for environmental consulting firms. He also teaches in the Oakland, CA-based Merritt College’s Biology Department (www.merritt.edu) as an Adjunct Faculty member.

“Bird Songing” and Daniel’s other programs/tours/outings have occurred in more than 20 states – including birding conferences, meetings, and docent/professional field naturalist training sessions.

The author of two books, his articles have appeared in science books, magazines, newspapers, science Web sites – and, in addition, Daniel maintains a popular Web site (http://www.warblerwatch.com) and Blog site devoted to wood-warblers titled “Warbler Watch” (http://warblerwatch.blogspot.com).

Click on "Ecologist/Biologist" at his Web site (http://www.warblerwatch.com) to see the resume of Daniel Edelstein.

For more information, please contact Daniel at 415-382-1827 or write him at edelstein@earthlink.net

References are available.

What are people saying

about Daniel & his programs?

(that he has presented in more than 20 USA states)

"Daniel hears (and identifies) birds that I can't even see!"

- Ron Felzer

Emeritus Instructor in Biology, Forestry and Environmental Studies, Merritt College, Oakland, California

“I thoroughly enjoyed Daniel Edelstein’s birding class and greatly improved my ability to bird by ear! We definitely plan to have him back to teach again.”

- Gary Knoblock

former Executive Director of the Point Reyes Field Seminars adult school, Point Reyes Station, CA

“Daniel has excellent ears and he expertly knows his birds’ songs and calls — and his teaching experience helps others learn the birds that they hear.”

- the venerable and late Paul G. DuMont, bird tour leader for more than 30 years

“Thank you for sharing your knowledge with the State Parks interpretive naturalists. Your expertise was impressive and your presentation was enjoyable and filled with information. I am sure the State Park staff will share this knowledge in public programs.”

- Estelle Ruppert, Program Specialist, Bureau of State Parks, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

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