Alison Kondler shares how she learned to mimic bird sounds and identify birds by ear, beginning with a childhood conversation with a Western Meadowlark. Blending humor, mimicry, and imagination, she traces her path from mastering water drop and mouth sounds as a kid, to performing them on stage as a stand-up comic, and eventually returning to nature as an Audubon Master Birder. In this TEDx Talk, she introduces creative mnemonic techniques that make it easier to recognize and remember bird calls through birding by ear. If you’ve ever wondered how to identify birds by their songs and sounds, this is your invitation to listen differently. Alison Kondler is an Audubon Master Birder, naturalist, producer, and content creator passionate about helping others connect with birds through their incredible sounds. Growing up on the prairie, she began mimicking bird calls as a child. Later, she took this talent to the stage as a stand-up comic, blending humor with nature.Alison specializes in bird sound identification, using mnemonic techniques tailored to different learning styles. She also leads expert birding field trips and teaches brand growth on vertical social media platforms. With a dynamic mix of education, conservation, and entertainment, she inspires audiences to appreciate and protect the avian world. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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