Bird identification apps are helping millions of people recognise birds by their appearance, songs and calls, making birdwatching more accessible to beginners. Merlin Bird ID, developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, has now been downloaded more than 40 million times across 240 countries.
San Francisco birder Megan Szostak began identifying birds as a child using her late grandfather’s binoculars and a field guide. She now uses Merlin alongside traditional methods, describing it as a useful addition rather than a replacement for observing birds directly.
AI Identifies Birds From Images and Sound
Merlin Bird ID launched in the United States in 2014 with machine learning technology that could recognise several hundred common species from photographs. Its tools have since expanded to include visual identification, location-based recommendations and real-time Sound ID.
Merlin’s sound recognition currently covers more than 2,000 species, while its wider database contains information about birds from around the world. The technology is trained using photographs and recordings contributed by a global community of birdwatchers.
Cornell said Merlin’s Sound ID feature has generated billions of identifications. The organisation is also improving connections between Merlin and eBird, its global citizen-science database containing more than two billion bird observations.
Experts warn that automated identification systems can make mistakes, particularly when several species sound similar or recordings contain background noise. European monitoring groups have advised researchers not to rely solely on app results for official bird surveys.
Younger Users Combine Birding With Social Media
Merlin’s growing audience includes younger users who share sightings through TikTok, Instagram and other platforms. Szostak said recording and posting short videos encourages her to slow down and pay closer attention to the natural environment.
Other birding apps combine identification with social networking and game features. Birda lets users record sightings, join challenges and share photographs with a global community. Its app also supports the importing and exporting of records from services including eBird and iNaturalist.
Software engineer Sam Lewis created another app, Lifer, after using Merlin for several years. Lifer presents sightings as collectible illustrated cards whose appearance changes according to the rarity of the bird and the quality of the photograph or recording.
The app hides precise locations for rare breeding birds during sensitive periods to reduce the risk of disturbance. Eligible records can also be submitted to the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, an international network providing open access to biodiversity data.
Cornell said Merlin will continue prioritising a simple experience that encourages users to spend more time outdoors. The goal is to use smartphone technology to support curiosity about birds while keeping observation at the centre of the activity.
Featured image credits: Magnific.com
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