<p>I would agree with @WMXZ that it sounds like you would benefit from a parabolic mic.  Of these, the Telinga kit (<a href="https://www.telinga.com/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.telinga.com/</a>) is often regarded to be the best, but is fairly expensive, and the Dodotronic equipment (<a href="https://www.dodotronic.com/product-category/parabolic-microphones/?v=2a47ad90f2ae" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.dodotronic.com/product-category/parabolic-microphones/?v=2a47ad90f2ae</a>) is also well regarded, but is cheaper.</p>
<p>Useful information on parabolic mics (and shotgun) is available at the Macaulay website, here: <a href="https://www.macaulaylibrary.org/resources/audio-recording-gear/microphones/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.macaulaylibrary.org/resources/audio-recording-gear/microphones/</a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-12-08T20:07:03.827Z
2022-12-08T20:07:03.827Z
Carlos Abrahams
<p>In order to get good recordings (high signal to noise ratio), you want to reduce noise (ambient and interfering). You have, two methods:</p>
<ul>
<li>out-of-band noise: can 'easily' be removed by signal processing</li>
<li>in-band noise: best method is to have directional sensors. I see three types of sensors,
<ul>
<li>directional (shotgun) microphones,</li>
<li>array of microphones,</li>
<li>single microphone with parabolic reflector.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>The simplest method is the parabolic reflector and consequently very frequently used. You may consider the use of a windscreen to remove wind noise.</p>
<p>Sorry, I cannot advice on specific models and brand.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-12-06T07:13:58.237Z
2022-12-06T07:19:12.910Z
2022-12-06T07:19:12.910Z
WMXZ
<p>I am doing my honors thesis on Anna's Hummingbird chip notes. I need to capture clean chip notes in the field. They are pretty distinct vocalizations, but part of my research is quantifying the duration of and intervals between each chip. So, I need the recording to have a minimal amount of artifacts/background noise/echo. What mics would be appropriate for this?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-01-04T07:58:57.430Z
What is the frequency range of these notes?
Dan Stowell
<microphone><bird>
Mic Recommendations for Hummingbird Chip Notes?
# Mic Recommendations for Hummingbird Chip Notes?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2022-12-06)

I am doing my honors thesis on Anna's Hummingbird chip notes. I need to capture clean chip notes in the field. They are pretty distinct vocalizations, but part of my research is quantifying the duration of and intervals between each chip. So, I need the recording to have a minimal amount of artifacts/background noise/echo. What mics would be appropriate for this?

**Tags:** microphone, bird

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: What is the frequency range of these notes?  

---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2022-12-08. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

I would agree with @username_3 that it sounds like you would benefit from a parabolic mic. Of these, the Telinga kit (<https://www.telinga.com/>) is often regarded to be the best, but is fairly expensive, and the Dodotronic equipment (<https://www.dodotronic.com/product-category/parabolic-microphones/?v=2a47ad90f2ae>) is also well regarded, but is cheaper.

Useful information on parabolic mics (and shotgun) is available at the Macaulay website, here: <https://www.macaulaylibrary.org/resources/audio-recording-gear/microphones/>


---

### Answer by username_3 on 2022-12-06. Score: 1

In order to get good recordings (high signal to noise ratio), you want to reduce noise (ambient and interfering). You have, two methods:

* out-of-band noise: can 'easily' be removed by signal processing
* in-band noise: best method is to have directional sensors. I see three types of sensors,
  + directional (shotgun) microphones,
  + array of microphones,
  + single microphone with parabolic reflector.

The simplest method is the parabolic reflector and consequently very frequently used. You may consider the use of a windscreen to remove wind noise.

Sorry, I cannot advice on specific models and brand.


---

