Bird imitators from across the country could participate by sending in their best imitation to Early Birds. Participants were allowed to imitate one wild bird species and could not use any aids (only their mouth and hands). From all submissions, eighteen people were allowed to showcase their bird sounds during the finals. They had to convince both the human jury (composed of biologist and TV presenter Camilla Dreef, urban ecologist Anne Nijs, and ecologist and Listener creator Folkert de Boer), as well as an AI device trained to recognize bird sounds. Finalists imitated birds such as the blackbird, cuckoo, turtle dove, and wasp kite. The winner not only convinced the human jury members but also the AI device with an impressive 94% and received the Golden Listener from Utrecht alderman Linda Voortman. The championship was organized as part of the Listener project. 

Utrecht alderman Linda Voortman (Green & Animal Welfare): With this event, we shine a spotlight on Dutch birds. The municipality of Utrecht aims to involve as many people as possible in urban nature in an accessible and playful way. Through the Listener project, we raise awareness of bird sounds and birds in the city. By organizing this championship together with Early Birds, Utrecht Naturally, and the Lowland Ecology Network, we create even more beautiful attention for the birds around us.

Listener
Last year, the municipality of Utrecht and ecologists Folkert de Boer and Jan van der Winden from the Lowland Ecology Network launched the Listener project. Listener is a website that shows which birds are singing in Griftpark, Park Transwijk, Amelisweerd, and Máximapark 24 hours a day. You can also see how often the sound of a particular bird species has been heard, per day and per month. In the parks, there is a device that detects and recognizes bird sounds using AI. The website features sound samples, allowing people to learn the sounds and recognize them during their walks. Additionally, special Listener poles designed by an artist are placed in the parks, which have a QR code linking to the website.