Visual Identification Tests

These tests include birds that could occur in anywhere in Wisconsin. Field guides can be used, but you must complete the visual examination within a 5-minute period. The computer will track time from the beginning to the end of your observation period. If you do not end the session before this time, your results will be ineligible for certification.

Before starting the test, place field guides or other references near the computer and provide a notebook to record results. Just as you might in a real-life bird survey, you will compile and submit your findings after the “field trip” when the birds were seen.

This is not a traditional multiple choice test – all birds found in Wisconsin (breeding or migrants) are possibilities. The field guide should be a handy tool while you are observing the birds as well as afterward, when your notes can provide important details for reference.

When you are ready to start a test, click the “BEGIN TEST” button and note the time.

You will be shown a series of images of Wisconsin birds (not necessarily during breeding season). In your notebook or on the Survey Form, record your preliminary identification of each bird. You also might wish to record notes that you can use later to verify your identification. The test will consist of 20 images. You can view each image as long as you’d like, but in order to have the test evaluated you must click the “END TEST” button before the end of the 5-minute period.

If you fail to end the test within 5 minutes or if you fail to identify the target number of bird species, then the number of failed tests recorded with your name will be increased by one. After one year, the record of a failed test will be eliminated.

Once you click the "END TEST" button, the DATA FORM will be loaded. You can use resources like bird identification CD’s or field guides to help verify your identifications, although you will not be able to see the images again. Indicate on the DATA FORM each species you identified and click the "SUBMIT RESULTS " button at the end of the DATA FORM to submit your results to the Cofrin Center for Biodiversity Testing Center.

Audio Identification Tests

You will identify bird vocalizations during three 2-minute recordings from the sites pictured for each test. Because the images are not full 360° views, birds from nearby habitats also might be heard during the recordings. You should record all species identified, even birds that are uncharacteristic of the pictured habitats. In other words, the habitat images provide general, but sometimes incomplete, habitat descriptions. Recordings were made using a CZM (Compression Zone Microphone) microphone attached to a Marantz PMD670 digital recorder.

Before starting a test, you will need to have a notebook to record results. Just as you might in a real-life bird survey, you will compile and submit your findings after the “field trip” when the birds were encountered.

When you are ready to begin, click the “BEGIN TEST” button and note the time. Three MP3 recordings will be loaded into a new window. The audio recordings will not be perfect – expect to hear occasional gusts of wind, background noises, and other distractions (just as you would in a real-life field survey). In your notebook, record your preliminary identification of each bird. You also might wish to record notes that you can use later to verify your identification.

You may listen to the recordings a second time, but you must click on the “END TEST” button before 15 minutes has elapsed from the start of the test. If you fail to click the “END TEST” button within 15 minutes after the “BEGIN TEST” button, you will automatically fail the test.

If you do not end the test within 15 minutes or if you fail to identify the target number of bird species correctly, then the number of failed tests recorded with your name will be increased by one. After one year, the record of a failed test will be eliminated.

Once you click the "END TEST" button, the DATA FORM will be loaded. You can use resources like bird identification CD’s or field guide descriptions to help verify your identifications, although you will not be able to hear the recordings again. Indicate on the DATA FORM each species you identified on each recording (as Certain or Probable) and click the "SUBMIT RESULTS " button at the end of the DATA FORM to submit your results to the Cofrin Center for Biodiversity Testing Center.