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Bird ID -A Solution!
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Sep 18, 2021 16:56:06   #
PattyW60 Loc: Northwest Illinois
 
billnikon wrote:
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.
As long as you don't use the calls on some of thos... (show quote)


Thank you for mentioning this, Bill! Doing this can really stress the birds. I personally like to use the different songs and calls so that I might be able to hear if a bird I'm looking for is nearby.

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Sep 18, 2021 17:00:58   #
Jolly Roger Loc: Dorset. UK
 
smussler wrote:
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.


Thanks for this information.
Roger

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Sep 18, 2021 17:35:22   #
henryf Loc: Florida
 
Jolly Roger wrote:
Thanks for this information.
Roger


FWIW I use iBird Pro and Sibley Birds v2 for bird ID. Not free but lots of info.

Merlin is great (distributed by Cornell) and they have downloadable databases for different areas (N. America, UK, Mediterranean, etc. In the beginning, Merlin was not as polished as the above mentioned pay apps but the quality gap has closed quite a bit. I also keep a copy of Merlin on my phone. It is my only app with decent European coverage

If you are interested in bird calls BirdNET (distributed by the same group that distributes Merlin) is also free and does as good a job as anyone. I use BirdNET also for preliminary identification when I have no clue. If you are troubled by Canada Geese constantly pooping on your sidewalk, BirdNet is also a great asset.

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Sep 18, 2021 17:43:41   #
lrm Loc: Sarasota, FL
 
Tried them all. Found Picture Bird app. Not free but is terrific. Take picture with cell phone of live bird or of bird photo on computer, or picture of bird in a magazine, utube —you name it. I have found it about 95% effective even when picture is not the best quality.

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Sep 19, 2021 06:57:28   #
JRiepe Loc: Southern Illinois
 
I have an app on my tablet called Picture Bird.

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Sep 19, 2021 13:37:28   #
letmedance Loc: Walnut, Ca.
 
i suggest you all try Inaturalist, free and instant results.

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Sep 19, 2021 16:27:35   #
Drbobcameraguy Loc: Eaton Ohio
 
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.


I have an app called BirdNet. It is free and let's you record the sounds of a bird even at a distance and tells you what bird it is. It works amazingly well. Comes from the same folks as Merlin

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Sep 22, 2021 07:45:01   #
WJShaheen Loc: Gold Canyon, AZ
 
billnikon wrote:
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.
As long as you don't use the calls on some of thos... (show quote)


Indeed. Thank you.

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Sep 22, 2021 14:53:57   #
Karl's Bird Photography Loc: Oregon
 
billnikon wrote:
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.
As long as you don't use the calls on some of thos... (show quote)


Another time with this no-resolution topic. Please show me some science, not opinion, that backs up what you claim to be true. I grant that overdoing almost anything can give bad results. Even Sibley in his field guides says calls to attract birds are acceptable as long as they are not overdone or during the breeding season.

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Sep 23, 2021 17:09:32   #
Basil Loc: New Mexico
 
I have an App called Mahjong. It does nothing to help with bird identification, but it's a great way to pass the time when your sittin' on the throne.

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