I use iBird pro on my iPhone and iPad. There are several other apps and this one is my favorite. The recordings of bird calls is a great way to learn bird songs. However, playing recordings to lure birds, whether for viewing or photography has ethical considerations. Many parks and refuges prohibit the use of these recordings. It is also illegal to disturb any endangered or threatened species, and playback can be interpreted as disturbance. Any potential negative impacts of playback are more likely to occur in areas with a lot of birding pressure, so avoiding playback entirely in those places is a good idea. No research has demonstrated a negative impact of playback at the population level. Some may say playback lures birds into the open, exposing them to predators, distracts birds from useful activities such as foraging. Under no circumstances should a recording be played continuously or at very high volume. Also be aware that these recording may be discourteous to fellow birders and photographers. . The bottom line is that a lot is unknown about playback. In the meantime, being courteous and respectful to the birds and to fellow birders should avoid most of the potential conflicts and allow birding and photography with minimal impact on the birds

Not sure whether to consider this a lecture directed at me or just general information for all who love birds. I simply used it a couple of time to let my "friends" know that new feeders had been hung. Now I can enjoy watching the birds, chipmunks and squirrels from my bedroom chair. I think that luring birds to shoot them with something other than a camera is what would have ethical considerations. I don't have a camera (yet) with which I can "shoot" birds. I simply enjoy watching them at our feeders. But your information does provide some interesting information.

I was hoping to give general information. I have seen the bird recordings used to excess too many times. I lead guided bird walks at the sanctuary, one day I had a group of birders in the cypress forest when we heard the call of a "Bob White". That is a very distinctive call for those who know it. We had not seen one in the sanctuary for many years, and in the middle of the cypress forest was completely in the wrong environment. We finally found that it was a person behind us on the boardwalk playing a tape. I like your idea of playing a tape to let the birds know about your feeders. It normally takes several days or a week for birds to find a new food source, and attracting them with a tape sounds like a novel idea and I think beneficial for the birds. I always heard that the best bird watchers are other birds, and as soon as you get a few visiting your feeders you get a crowd.

I was hoping to give general information. I have seen the bird recordings used to excess too many times. I lead guided bird walks at the sanctuary, one day I had a group of birders in the cypress forest when we heard the call of a "Bob White". That is a very distinctive call for those who know it. We had not seen one in the sanctuary for many years, and in the middle of the cypress forest was completely in the wrong environment. We finally found that it was a person behind us on the boardwalk playing a tape. I like your idea of playing a tape to let the birds know about your feeders. It normally takes several days or a week for birds to find a new food source, and attracting them with a tape sounds like a novel idea and I think beneficial for the birds. I always heard that the best bird watchers are other birds, and as soon as you get a few visiting your feeders you get a crowd.