Merlin Bird ID

Merlin Bird ID, from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, is one of, if not the best, apps for identifying birds. It can help identify birds from photos, sounds, and guided questions, which makes it useful even if you’re completely new to birdwatching.

The sound identification feature is one of the app’s best tools. You can let the app listen to birds around you, and it will try to identify the species by their songs or calls. That’s extremely helpful because birds are often easier to hear than see.

Merlin Bird ID also works with photos. If you manage to capture a bird on your iPhone, you can use the image to get possible matches. The app can also ask simple questions about the bird’s size, color, location, and behavior if you don’t have a clear picture.

For beginners, Merlin makes birdwatching feel much less intimidating. Instead of flipping through a field guide and guessing, you can use your iPhone as a quick learning tool during walks, hikes, or birdwatching in your backyard.