Do you have a nice picture of a bird, but you don't know what kind it is? Take a look at an app called Merlin. It identifies birds you see or hear.
I have Merlin on my iPhone - it's pretty decent. Also, just FYI, I have an App called "PictureThis" that identifies plants based on a snapshot. It works pretty well, but you need internet access for it to work.
jerryc41 wrote:
Do you have a nice picture of a bird, but you don't know what kind it is? Take a look at an app called Merlin. It identifies birds you see or hear.
Jerry,
Yes Merlin can help identify birds, and it's free. But it doesn't always work. They have now added bird songs for identification.
I have Merlin on my tablet and phone. It works well most of the time as long as the bird is in "normal" plumage.
jerryc41 wrote:
Do you have a nice picture of a bird, but you don't know what kind it is? Take a look at an app called Merlin. It identifies birds you see or hear.
Merlin is good but depends on a fairly clean photo. Even better is a FB group called "what's this bird..."
I haven't tried Merlin, but I use the Audubon app. In addition to various pictures of the bird, it tells about the birds migrating, breeding, nesting, and eating habits, and also includes audio of their various songs and sounds they make.
The Merlin bird song id is fun to use and has been accurate so far in my experience.
Use both Merlin and Audubon and like both. Play calls through a Bluetooth speaker and watch the reactions. Fun but don’t over do it.
An even better app is "Lens". It identifies much more than just birds.
Another app that identifies animals, birds, and plants is free. Inaturalist.
RoswellAlien wrote:
Use both Merlin and Audubon and like both.
Are these two Apps for Birds within Northern America or do they cover Europe also???
smussler
Loc: Land O Lakes, FL - Formerly Miller Place, NY
Jolly Roger wrote:
Are these two Apps for Birds within Northern America or do they cover Europe also???
From Merlin site: Merlin offers quick identification help for all levels of bird watchers to help you learn about the birds across the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania.
You'll need to download various databases for coverage areas. I think several are needed just for the United States.
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
jerryc41 wrote:
Do you have a nice picture of a bird, but you don't know what kind it is? Take a look at an app called Merlin. It identifies birds you see or hear.
As long as you don't use the calls on some of those apps. It will confuse the bird. Many folks wrongly use these calls to call in a bird, this is so wrong I don't know where to begin.
Lets see, they call in a male bird with a female call, the male bird never finds the female, if done enough times, it can really mess up the male or female depending on the sex call used.
If you are doing this, please, please stop the practice. Practice instead studying the birds you are interested in and find out where they congregate.
The birders will be grateful for your support.
If you want to reply, then
register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.