5 Best Bird Identification Apps for Android and iOS
Nowadays, there are apps for everything. You can use apps to find clothes from a picture or learn about animals. Since everything has been covered, why should bird-watching enthusiasts stay behind? Here’s a list of the 5 best bird identification apps for Android and iOS devices.
Using these apps, you can easily identify birds. Some apps also let you save your findings to create a comprehensive bird activity map. Now, let’s dive in and show you these apps.
1. Merlin Bird ID – Best Overall App to Identify Birds
The Merlin Bird ID app, created by Cornell Lab of Ornithology, is one of the best apps for bird identification. Place your device near the bird for a sound recording or picture. Upload it to the app to identify the species and get details on food, habitat, etc. You might also get suggestions for local birds and their locations.
Once you grant necessary permission, the app is ready to be used. You can download Bird packs to understand birds of a particular region. You can also use the search feature to find a bird using a picture or sound. If neither is available, you can answer 5 simple questions within the app to figure out the bird species.
The Bird packs are a good way to impart knowledge, but they can become cumbersome, with some packs going over 1.2 GB. The app is free to use, but you need to sign in to access all features. If you want to use any additional features, ensure you’ve given all required permissions, or the app might not work as expected.
Pros:
Pros:
– Region-specific Bird packs for identifying birds by sound
– Dedicated database
– Provides local bird recommendations
Cons:
– Requires sign-in
– Additional permissions may be needed
Price: Free
2. Audubon Bird Guide – Best App for Beginner Birders
Once you open the Audubon app, the first thing you see is the option to download an offline field guide. Audubon is one of the best apps for birders, providing detailed information about local bird species in North America that can be accessed with a simple tap. The main page also includes recommendations for featured birds and a link to the Audubon.org site.
Within the app, you can track your sightings and alerts. However, you need an active account to add sighting data. To search for a bird, you can identify them using sound, image, or a detailed questionnaire within the app.
You can access Audubon’s library offline if it’s downloaded on your device. To check your sightseeing data, sign up on the app. Bird sounds may not be available for all species in Audubon’s index. Enable all device permissions for the full app experience.
Pros:
– Offline field guide available
– Contains information on local North American bird species
Detailed questionnaire
Recommendations on the Home page
Cons:
– Sign up required for checking sightseeing data
– Offline field guide might consume too much device space
Price: Free
3. eBird – Best to Keep Track of Birds
The eBird app enables location-based check-ins. It automatically compiles data on the bird species you search for and sends it based on your location. You can also download local bird packs offline to access bird-related information.
An excellent bird-watching app, eBird offers various parameters to set alerts for rare birds, top 100 birds, etc. You can also add a specific species from the map. Once completed, the checklist is uploaded to the eBirds database for further checks. The app also allows you to check for different bird species from the checklist panel.
Although the information on the eBird app is free, signing up for a Cornell Lab account is required. Switching between menu options may cause lag in the app, with instances of bird sound audio playing before the page finishes loading.
Pros:
– Custom checklist creation
– Map-based location
– Location-based bird packs available
Review: Ability to Create a Local Pack
Pros:
– Can create a local pack
Cons:
– Requires a Cornell Lab account
– App interface is not smooth
Price: Free
4. BirdNET – AI-Powered Bird ID App
The BirdNET app features an audio recording wizard to record, edit, and analyze bird voices using AI for species identification. You can also claim ownership of submitted audio in the app menu.
Apart from its audio tools, BirdNET also provides a comprehensive list of birds in your area. Simply tap on the names to access more information. However, please note that the list only includes species currently in BirdNET’s database.
During our testing, we found that when audio was taken from a distance, BirdNET often provided the closest match rather than an exact one. However, once a clear audio sample was taken, the app accurately identified the bird species.
Pros:
– AI-based application
– Advanced bird tracking options
– Ownership option for recordings
– Area-based bird suggestions
The menu options are limited. Bird guesses are not always accurate. The price is free.
5. GoBird – Best Bird-Watching App
The GoBird app is the best option for bird watching. It provides all the major bird-watching spots within your current location. These spots are color-coded and give detailed information and distance from your location when tapped.
The GoBird interface has been simplified, allowing you to switch between options from the menu panel. Here, apart from Hotspots, you can scroll through all the bird species in your area. For more options, use the filter to adjust the search radius and observation days.`
You can also tap on the Rare option from the menu panel to see rare bird species near you and again use the filters to adjust location distance and observation days.`
However, while testing, the GoBird app had some minor issues zeroing in on the exact location even with the GPS on. If that happens, try turning the GPS off and then on. This should fix the issue.`
Pros`
- Map view for hotspots
- Separate view for Rare birds
- In-app filters
Cons
- May not pinpoint exact location at once
Price: Free
1. Bird ID apps don’t require a subscription. You might only need to sign in to access app features.
2. Yes, bird-watching apps like Merlin Bird ID and Audubon Bird Guide can identify birds by their sounds.
Find That Bird
More people are becoming interested in bird watching, making it increasingly difficult to identify and locate different bird species. We hope you found our list of the top 5 bird identification apps helpful. For more identification apps, check out our other list of apps that can identify any object.
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Ankita Sharma is a writer with a passion for technology, particularly Android, Apple, and Windows devices. She started out as a script and copywriter but soon realized her interest in the digital world and found her purpose in simplifying technology for others. She is dedicated to her work, often found glued to her laptop, meeting deadlines, writing scripts, and watching shows in various languages.
As Fred Humiston, the author behind Twothirds.us, I focus on providing practical and easy-to-follow guides and solutions for a variety of technical issues that people commonly face.
My articles cover a wide range of topics, from troubleshooting out-of-sync audio on TikTok and managing Firestick devices, to understanding the impact of Capcut on video quality and resolving sound issues on Hisense Roku TVs.
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