What can birdsong teach us about biodiversity?

In cities and natural landscapes alike, a hidden universe of sound is helping scientists track biodiversity in new ways. Using bioacoustics—the study of environmental soundscapes—researchers in South Africa are identifying species and monitoring ecosystem health simply by listening. With around 850 bird species, the country offers rich data, yet African wildlife remains underrepresented in global sound archives. Initiatives like the 2026 “Big Year of African Sounds” and growing citizen science projects are turning everyday smartphone users into contributors, helping expand datasets and improve identification apps. From urban streets to underwater habitats, every recording brings researchers closer to understanding—and protecting—Africa’s diverse ecosystems.