Our Favorite Bird ID Apps

“It’s a bird…it’s a plane…it’s…well, shoot, now it’s gone. That was a neat bird! I wonder what it was.” It seems like we’ve all had those moments where an interesting bird has landed nearby, but by the time you’ve grabbed your field guide, it’s gone.

Do you wish there was a faster way to ID birds? Now there is! Simply grab your smartphone, open your birding app, and you’re well on your way to avian identification. But, which app is best? We’ve compiled a list of our favorite bird identification and birding apps to help you decide which app best suits your needs and wants. With these apps, bird identification has never been easier!

Audubon Bird Guide

Looking for a field guide but in an app format? The Audubon Bird Guide may be for you. With a searchable guide, your own personal sightings list, and the ability to explore other sightings in your area, this app is a great choice for any birding enthusiast.

Cost: Free

Available On: Apple App Store and Google Play

How It Works:

To begin the identification process, you have two options: identify a bird using various filters, or, if you have a general idea of what the species might be, search the field guide. Within the filtered ID section, answer as many questions as possible to narrow down your search. Filters include (but are not limited to) location, size, color, habitat, and wing shape.

Once you have identified the species, you may choose to add a sighting, complete with field notes, a photo, and the observation location and date. By clicking on the Explore tab, you can see other observations in your area, including potential birding hotspots.

Lastly, the Audubon Bird Guide also includes a complete bird field guide for the United States and Canada with descriptions, songs and calls, a range map, and the conservation status for each species. This app is great for both the beginning birder and the experienced birder who wish to track their observations.

Merlin Bird ID

Do you want to identify a bird based on a photo, a sound, or a variety of filtered questions? Are you interested in learning more about the birds in your area while helping to contribute to scientific research? The Merlin Bird ID app by The Cornell Lab of Ornithology might be for you.

Cost: Free

Available On: Apple App Store and Google Play

How It Works:

After downloading the app, you can choose to download a variety of bird packs for different geographic areas of the world. These packs contain the common and uncommon birds for each region and will be crucial for helping you to identify the birds in your area. You must download at least one pack to start the identification process.

Start your bird ID search by choosing one of three options: Start Bird ID, Photo ID, or Sound ID. With Start Bird ID, you will answer a series of questions, including the sighting location and date and the bird’s size, colors, and activity. The app will then create a list of possible bird species from which to choose. Still not sure? Listen to each species’ sounds and read more information to help verify your sighting.

You may also choose to upload or take a photo, and the app will analyze the image and provide you with a list of possible species. Or, you can select Sound ID, and the app will listen and identify bird songs in real-time. Once a bird has been identified, you can choose if you would like to share the observation with eBird, another scientific data-driven birding app produced by Cornell, which you will read about next.

Lastly, the app includes a tab called Explore Birds, which acts as a digital field guide. In this section of the app, you will find a list of birds that are likely in your region today. Also included are a description of each species, its sounds, and a map of its seasonal, geographic location. Merlin Bird ID is at the top of the charts when it comes to bird identification apps, and it’s a download you won’t regret.

eBird

Already an experienced birder in search of a birding checklist app? Do you want to help contribute to scientific research? The eBird app by The Cornell Lab of Ornithology might be for you. Although this app does not assist with bird identification, it still made our list of top birding apps, especially when used with Merlin Bird ID.

Cost: Free

Available On: Apple App Store and Google Play

How It Works:

When you are ready to starting birding, simply click “Start Checklist.” Your current GPS coordinates will appear along with a list of bird species alphabetized based on scientific name. Find each species, enter the number of birds observed and any details about the bird(s), and continue doing so until you are finished birding. Not only will your checklist be saved, but most importantly, you will be contributing to scientific research!

You may also choose to click on the Explore tab to see other species observed over the last seven days, birding hotspots, and rare bird alerts in your area. eBird is a wonderful tool for experienced birders, and it can be used by all birders when used in conjunction with Merlin Bird ID.

Smart Bird ID

Do you want to test or improve your bird identification skills? Is there a bird sound you just can’t identify? The Smart Bird ID app might be for you. This app includes picture and sound identification as well as a field guide and bird quizzes. It is a one-stop-shop for all things bird ID. There is a premium version available, but almost every feature is included in the free version.

Cost: Free with a premium version available

Available On: Apple App Store and Google Play

How It Works:

Smart Bird ID has so many features that it is sometimes hard to know where to begin. If you are looking to identify a bird, you can choose between three options: Photo ID, Song ID, and Question ID. Similar to other birding apps, Photo ID will analyze a photo, Song ID will analyze bird songs in real-time, and Question ID will prompt you to answer a series of questions about the bird. After the photo, song, or questions have been analyzed, the app will provide potential species options.

If you would like to use the app as a digital field guide, click on Bird Guide. Within the guidebook, you will find a list of birds with information, sounds, photos, and videos for each species. Unique to Smart Bird ID is a tab with beginner, intermediate, and advanced bird quizzes. A wide variety of quiz topics are available, including bird songs, eggs, feathers, tracks, and general bird photo ID. These quizzes are great for the beginning birder or to test the skills of the experienced birder.

Smart Bird ID does include ads, but they do not overwhelm the app. Unless you use the app frequently, you likely do not need to pay for the premium version, as the free version includes almost everything you could want. Smart Bird ID is another stellar bird identification app, especially with its additional features other birding apps do not offer.

Are you ready to download a birding app? Head to the Apple App Store or Google Play, and download one today—you’ll be a bird ID expert in no time! If you enjoyed this article, make sure to check out our plant identification article, and be on the lookout for insect ID coming soon. Until then, happy birding!