For the Birdwatchers: Have noted of late several members asking others to assist in identifying birds. If you have an iPhone or iPad, I recommend an app called Merlin. Developed by...

rhyde Loc: Little Rock, AR

Have noted of late several members asking others to assist in identifying birds. If you have an iPhone or iPad, I recommend an app called Merlin. Developed by Cornell University, it is very helpful in bird identification. Answer five or so questions having to do with location, size, color, etc, and a group of possibilities are provided. The pictures are clear and are tied to where you spotted the bird. The app is free, and an Android version will be available soon. Give it a try. I think you'll be glad you did. I'm certainly enjoying it.

dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

Android App Coming Spring 2014

medavis43 Loc: Folkston, GA

Thanks. Have to wait for Android but that will be nice to have a portable reference.

cntry Loc: Colorado

rhyde wrote:

Have noted of late several members asking others t... (show quote)

Downloading now...thanks!

medavis43 Loc: Folkston, GA

I'd like to have something where I show a pic of the bird and it tells me what it is! So aggravating when I can't find it in my numerous bird books - what with seasonal plumage, girls, boys, breeding, juveniles, it's enough to drive an old woman nuts.

STVest Loc: LA - that's Lower Alabama

medavis43 wrote:

I'd like to have something where I show a pic of the bird and it tells me what it is! So aggravating when I can't find it in my numerous bird books - what with seasonal plumage, girls, boys, breeding, juveniles, it's enough to drive an old woman nuts.

Amen to that, sister.

mldavis2

Even more interesting is some new technology that I've seen but not (yet) implemented on mobile devices.

I was sitting in a restaurant the other day with a friend who said she liked the background music being played but didn't know the artist or the name of the song. She pulled out a mobile phone, loaded an app that "listened" for a few moments and then displayed the information! I'll bet we see something like that for bird calls - something that has eluded me for years, especially in unfamiliar territory.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

medavis43 wrote:

I'd like to have something where I show a pic of the bird and it tells me what it is! So aggravating when I can't find it in my numerous bird books - what with seasonal plumage, girls, boys, breeding, juveniles, it's enough to drive an old woman nuts.

Have you looked at Stokes Field Guide to the birds of North America. It has actual photos of the various plumages etc. I keep mine right by my computer to help ID birds It is available on Amazon for a good Price
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0316010502/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0316010502&linkCode=as2&tag=phbe1bl-20

mldavis2

Many bird IDs are a real challenge, even sometimes to veteran birders. I would suggest looking for a local Audubon Society (if you live in the U.S. near a big city). It just takes practice and experience, which is why it's such a great hobby.

Mdsmith Loc: North Carolina

rhyde wrote:

Have noted of late several members asking others t... (show quote)

That is amazing. Thank you so much for sharing Merlin.

Peasant1 Loc: Chicago

There are several Flickr groups that help with bird identification. Here is a link to one.

http://www.flickr.com/groups/bird_id_group/

Elliern Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

medavis43 wrote:

I'd like to have something where I show a pic of the bird and it tells me what it is! So aggravating when I can't find it in my numerous bird books - what with seasonal plumage, girls, boys, breeding, juveniles, it's enough to drive an old woman nuts.

I know you have several books, but see you are in Ga. Do you have the Stokes field Guide to Birds in Eastern Region? That is my go to book for birds, (plus she uses the sx50 as fun camera) LOL. I have the Sibley as back up.

I also use the Cornell site.

Poison Ivey Loc: Mtn Brook, AL

Sibley just came out with his 2nd Edition...had a write up in WSJ

jaybyrd Loc: Oceanside, CA

I use Ibird Pro For Android. Works Well.

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

medavis43 wrote:

I'd like to have something where I show a pic of the bird and it tells me what it is! So aggravating when I can't find it in my numerous bird books - what with seasonal plumage, girls, boys, breeding, juveniles, it's enough to drive an old woman nuts.

Here is a forum you may find useful. They helped me on more than one occasion. Post a couple of photos and you get answers.

http://www.birdforum.net/forumdisplay.php?f=114

A great bunch of members also.

Jim D