DIY Bird Sound Amplifier (Using a Salad Bowl!)
Updated: Sep 23
Want to hear more birds without buying expensive birding equipment? This simple DIY bird sound amplifier takes just a few minutes to put together using items you may already have at home.
We were surprised by how much easier it was to pick out individual bird songs...and our kids thought the whole experiment was hilarious.
Birding Runs in Our Family
Yes, I know. Suddenly becoming a birder in your 40s is basically a parenting meme at this point. š But for us, it's a family story.
My grandmother loved birds. She had those books with buttons that played different bird songs, a stack of bird identification guides, and bird artwork all over her house. I still have an antique silver mirror from Mexico covered in parrots that she gave me.
So when we started looking for easy ways to get our kids outside and curious about nature, birding felt like coming home. This little salad bowl contraption is our homemade, kid-friendly spin on it.
What You'll Need
A large plastic salad bowl (we used one we already had)
A small Bluetooth microphone (ours came in a pack of three on Amazon for under $10)
A binder clip, tape or Velcro to secure the mic inside the bowl
A PVC pipe or dowel plus a couple of clamps (optional, to hold the bowl up higher)
A bird identification app like (the free!) Merlin Bird ID
Since we already had the bowl, PVC and clamps, this whole project cost us less than $10.
How to Build It
Attach the Bluetooth microphone inside the center of the salad bowl. We used a binder clip to attach the mic to the lip of the bowl.
Mount the bowl to a PVC pipe or another handle if you'd like extra reach. We used clamps to attach the PVC to the bowl.
Pair the microphone with your phone.
Open Merlin (or your favorite bird ID app) and start listening!
The bowl helps collect and direct sound toward the microphone, making distant bird songs easier to hear.
Why the Bluetooth mic matters: The mic sends the sound straight into the Merlin app, so Merlin is "hearing" what the bowl collects instead of just your phone's built-in mic. That's what makes the difference.
Where to Try It
Start in your backyard! We picked up a couple of interesting birds right at home.
But for the most exciting results, go somewhere with a lot of birds. We took ours to the State College of Florida campus near Wellen Park, where there's a rookery...and it was a totally different experience. So many more birds, so many more songs, and way more excitement from the kids every time Merlin lit up with a new one.
Pro tip: Look for a local rookery, lake, wetland or nature preserve near you. More birds equals way more fun.
What We Learned
It gets top heavy. When James cranked the pole up high, it was hard to keep the bowl upright.
You don't have to go high. Holding it lower works great too.
But going high is hilarious. A salad bowl on a stick is a ridiculous sight...and your kids will be giggling right along with you. We were.
Tips
Visit early in the morning or around sunset when birds are most active.
Point the bowl toward the area where you're hearing birds.
Move slowly and stay quiet for the best results.
Compare listening with and without the bowl...you might be surprised by the difference.
Bird Sound Amplifier FAQs
Do I need the Bluetooth microphone?
If you want to use Merlin, yes. The Bluetooth mic sends what the bowl collects straight into the app so it can identify the birds.
How much does it cost to make?
Ours was under $10, because we only bought the mic. If you need a bowl, PVC and clamps too, it's still a very budget-friendly project.
Where's the best place to use it?
Anywhere with lots of birds! Your backyard works, but a rookery, wetland or nature preserve will give you much more exciting results.
What age is this good for?
It's a great project for curious elementary-age kids, and little ones love taking turns pointing the bowl. Have an adult handle the pole if you're raising it up high.
Why We Love It
This project is inexpensive, takes only a few minutes to make, and turns an ordinary evening in the backyard into a fun nature adventure. It's also a great way to introduce kids to birding without any specialized equipment.
Sometimes the best adventures really do start with stuff you have around the house!
Looking for more easy nature projects? Try our DIY Aqua Scope to see underwater, go hunting for mole crabs on Florida beaches, or build DIY Toadstool Stepping Stones for your backyard.
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