Macaulay Library

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Macaulay Library is the world’s largest and oldest scientific archive of wildlife recordings. Their mission is to collect and preserve recordings of each species’ behavior and natural history, to facilitate the ability of others to collect and preserve such recordings, and to promote the use of these recordings for diverse purposes spanning scientific research, education, conservation, and the arts.

The Macaulay Library offers online search tools to explore sounds and videos in the archive. You can search recordings by species for birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, arthropods, and even fishes. Additionally, digital audio guides are available for download. These pre-packaged downloads are ideal for providing exemplar material on North America’s birds and more. Users can also request access to download and license raw recordings through a cart system. If you are looking for something specific, don’t miss the advanced search.

Cornell Guide to Bird Sounds: United States and Canada

Scientists worldwide use the Library’s audio and video recordings to better understand and preserve our planet. Educators use their sounds and videos to illustrate the natural world and create exciting interactive learning opportunities. They help others depict nature accurately and bring the wonders of animal behavior to the widest possible audience. It is an invaluable resource at your fingertips.

What can the Macaulay Library offer land trusts?

The Macaulay Library collection offers land trusts significant resources for developing multimedia projects to promote and further land conservation, advertise species specific projects on their lands, and promote their important work to the public. The Library is also happy to accept contributions of recordings and data from land trust lands, ensuring that these recordings will be documented and preserved for generations to come.