DECADES OF BIRD SIGNALS, SONGS DIGITIZED FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is digitizing its vast collection of animal audio and video recordings, supported by the National Science Foundation. This project, led by Mike Webster, aims to preserve and make accessible recordings of various species, including extinct ones like the imperial woodpecker. The digitization process involves cataloging and ensuring the metadata is intact to provide context. The project also focuses on selecting digital formats that can be easily migrated to future technologies. This archive will be a valuable resource for scientists and bird watchers worldwide, allowing them to study animal behavior remotely.

What is the primary focus of the digitization project at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology?

• Recording weather patterns

• Digitizing animal audio and video recordings

• Cataloging human voices

• Preserving plant species

Which extinct bird species is mentioned as being part of the digitized recordings?

• Dodo

• Great auk

• Imperial woodpecker

• Passenger pigeon

How were the Alder and Willow flycatchers distinguished from each other?

• By their habitat

• By their songs

• By their color

• By their size

Why is metadata considered crucial for the value of audio and video assets?

• It increases the file size

• It enhances the sound quality

• It makes the recordings more colorful

• It provides context and tells the story

What is the long-term strategy for the digital format of the archive?

• To keep the current format indefinitely

• To switch to analog formats

• To use only text-based formats

• To migrate to new technologies as they develop