Contributing to the AZFO MP3 Bird Sounds Library

If you want to get started making your own recordings, excellent advice is available at the Wildlife Sound Recording Society website. At this point we are unable to add new records to the Sounds Library. You can always contribute your recordings for public use at xeno-canto and eBird.

You can still contribute to the sound library in two ways:

• Write up a Featured Recordings page
• Write up an Auditory ID Challenges page

Here are instructions for these three types of Contributions:

Submit your own recordings for posting:

1) What species or recordings are posted?

We are interested in recordings of all species that occur in Arizona.  Unlike commercially available recordings, this site emphasizes recordings made in Arizona to represent local dialects.  We therefore prefer recordings made in Arizona, but for rarer species we will accept recordings made in adjacent areas such as California, New Mexico, Sonora or Chihuahua. 

We are interested in documenting regional or subspecies variation in vocalizations.  Therefore we want to post more than one recording per species.  If you have a recording of a species that is already posted but it documents another vocalization or is from another region of the state, we are very interested in posting such files. 

2) What are the file size and type restrictions?

All files submitted must be in MP3 format and usually no longer than 90 seconds. 

Files should be encoded 128 kbps, 44100 Hz, Mono and be no larger than about 1.5 Mb

We prefer recordings that maintain the natural song rate intervals.  If the intervals are unusually long and you shorten them, please note this when submitting. 

3) How do I submit MP3 files to be considered for posting?

Up to TWO individual files can be emailed as attachments directly to the Editors.

If you have a larger number of files you would like considered for posting, please email the Editors first to discuss an appropriate way to deliver them. 

FILES MAY BE EDITED OR SHORTENED PRIOR TO POSTING.

4) What are the restrictions on use of my posted files?

You retain the copyright on all files submitted. However, you must agree to allow them to be downloaded for personal use such as playback on a personal computer, portable music player or other device. All other use is forbidden without written permission from the recordist.

HOWEVER, be aware that files posted on the sound library are freely accessible to everyone.  AZFO is not responsible for inappropriate,  unauthorized or commercial use of files downloaded from this site.  Responsibility for policing use of posted files remains strictly with the recordist.  If you are overly concerned with how your files might be used, it is probably best not to post them on the Internet.