The Secret to Identifying Bird Sounds Online for Free
As you wander through your backyard or a nearby park, the enchanting sounds of buzzing, chirping, or distant drumming might catch your attention. You may even spot a brightly colored bird hopping around, leading you to wonder, "What bird is that?" While you might not have a professional biologist by your side, you are likely to have your phone packed with apps designed for bird identification. Let's dive into four free apps that can help you easily identify bird sounds, and see how they can enhance your birdwatching experience!
Merlin Bird ID is developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. This app acts like a magical wizard for quick bird identification. By answering just three simple questions about the date, location, and the bird's appearance and behavior, Merlin provides a list of possible matches. But that's not all! Merlin also features Sound ID, which can identify bird songs even when you're offline; Photo ID, which analyzes uploaded photos to suggest matches; and eBird, allowing you to build custom lists of birds you might encounter.
With the aim of providing innovative tools for conservationists, biologists, and birders alike, BirdNET is an innovative app from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. This citizen science platform focuses on detecting and classifying bird sounds using machine learning, and is capable of recognizing around 3,000 common species. Just open the app and use your phone's microphone to identify bird songs in real-time. Imagine hearing a bird call in the park and instantly using BirdNET to find out what it is! This app not only helps you identify birds but also deepens your connection to nature.
The Audubon Bird Guide is a trusted resource from the National Audubon Society that covers 800 species of North American birds. One standout feature is the Bird ID tool, which helps narrowing down possible matches based on your location and the date in real time. By downloading this app, you can gain access to high-quality bird photos, audio clips of bird calls, and the ability to track your sightings while exploring nearby birds. Wherever you are, the Audubon Bird Guide is your key to unlocking the fascinating world of birds.
iNaturalist focuses on community engagement by allowing users to share their biodiversity discoveries. First, you can record your findings using your phone's camera. After documenting your observation, share it with fellow naturalists. This collaborative aspect fosters discussions to enhance your understanding. While it excels in bird identification, the app also emphasizes recognizing other forms of life, including plants, insects, and fungi. By joining groups, your sightings can be integrated into ongoing biodiversity projects, helping researchers and conservationists gain valuable insights into species distribution across different landscapes.
