The type of plant species animals prefer is greatly affected by the anatomy and physiology of the grazing animal. In addition to the animal's physiological and anatomical features, the characteristics of the plant species, such as, canopy structure, plant species as well as plant density and available forage will dictate the grazing pattern and behavior of the grazing animal. A grazing behavior study was conducted during the 2005 growing season at the Willow Bend experiment station, Beaver, West Virginia to evaluate the effect of canopy structure and plant species type on diet selection by grazing animals. Animals grazed Triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack), pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.), alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and, Kentucky bluegrass/white clover mixture ( Poa pratensis L/ white clover (Trifolium repens L.). Soundwave spectral analysis was used to detect and quantify each step in ruminant grazing and then estimate forage intake. Four steers (experimental units) were fitted with solid-state halters containing michrophones and discrete UHF transmitters. Receivers were mounted on DV cameras and provided sound input to the camera. Each of these processes generates unique sound signatures that may vary depending upon forage specie availability, quality, animal age and genetics. Grazing or ruminating was recorded in 10 minute intervals throughout the grazing season. The first year data indicated that plant species and stage of development can be differentiated and preference for forages can be determined by using soundwave analysis.