Is Playing Bird Sounds ACTUALLY BAD For Birds? (Important Bird Watching Science!)

Photo of woman near beginning of video was Lisa Rainsong, taken by Robert Mueller
In this video I answer the question: is playing bird sounds actually bad for birds when bird watching ? Or is it potentially a good thing? This video contains some important birding advice, and if you are a birdwatcher, you need to watch this video. Playbacks, which are recordings of bird calls or bird songs, are often used by birders to attract birds so that birders can get better views of birds for observation and photos. This topic has been studied with plenty of science to discuss. In this video I talk about some interesting natural history and science regarding animal behavior and bird behavior. Be sure that you watch until the of the video because I give tips on how to properly use playbacks to attract birds.
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[@bounorwa59]

I've seen baby bluebirds die because of photographers prolong playing of bluebird songs and calls near the nest. The male and female were so stressed that they did not come back for hours to feed the little ones. On a very warm day, the water the little ones need is in the food the parents brings them, in the case that i've mentioned, the babies died of dehydration. Some people only think about taking good pictures instead of the well being of the birds.

[@naturewithgabe]

Quite the nuanced topic! Great job covering a lot of angles to this conundrum.

[@danielaruiz1296]

Do you have any sources i can use to look deeper into this? for example some links for reference?

[@lilBugger35]

Great info thank you.

[@just1smothie]

You try hard not to use playback during nesting season, so you do use it. A couple of seconds, like, 1, 2 seconds? That's not even enough time for a note. You use playback and at the worst time, breeding nesting season. When birds are foraging to feed their young, and you disturb them to get a photo. As if they don't have enough to worry about, you add more. For scientific studies is just what it is, not to photography them for your pleasure.

[@Adventure.Ed.EcoFit]

Have fun out there bud