Transform your smartphone into an essential tool for bird watching by utilizing these useful applications. Our top picks for identifying birds are user-friendly and will enhance each of your bird-watching excursions.
Check out the best
top bird-watching location in each state
.
The Audubon Bird Guide: North America
This application differs from typical printed field guides as it incorporates bird songs and calls along with details on over 800 North American bird species. Since the content is regularly updated, you won’t have to get a new edition whenever information evolves; staying current is effortless. The interactive elements let you log your observations and view reports from nearby locations made by fellow enthusiasts. Additionally, maintaining an electronic record of all the birds you’ve seen—your digital lifelist—is possible within the app. Should you be uncertain about identifying a particular bird, utilizing the “Bird ID” function lets you input characteristics for identification purposes, helping narrow down potential matches based on your description.
Where to Get It:
Available at no cost for both iPhone and Android devices.
audubon.org
Before you go looking for birds, read up on the top 10
guidelines and taboos for bird watching outdoors
.
eBird Identification App
This is one of the most popular birding apps out there, and for good reason. eBird allows you to keep track of the species you see in the field, whether or not you’re connected to the internet, and the app will let you know if you’ve seen a rare species for a certain location. Starting and submitting a checklist is as easy as a few taps on the screen. You can be as detailed in your lists as you prefer, with options for month, year, and life lists. Plus, find great places to go birding with eBird Explore.
Where to Get It:
Free for iPhone and Android,
ebird.org
Did you know—you can
improve your mental well-being through birdwatching
.
Sibley Birds 2nd Edition
If you don’t want to lug your field guide around — and you’re bonded specifically to Sibley — here’s some good news: there’s a Sibley app. Featuring David Sibley’s magnificent artwork, the ability to compare two species side-by-side, and more than 2,700 calls, it’s a comprehensive guide you can keep in your back pocket.
Where to Get It:
$19.99 for iPhones and Android devices,
sibleyguides.com
Find your spark bird
to foster a passion for bird watching.
Merlin Bird ID App
Merlin is yet another highly popular bird identification application, and it’s easy to understand its appeal. It allows for straightforwardidentification.
identify any bird
By responding to five straightforward questions regarding the bird’s dimensions, coloring, and conduct. If you hear a distinctive sound
bird song or call
And if you’re unsure about the source of the sound, the Sound ID feature will listen to and identify nearby birds in real-time. This function operates without internet connection, ensuring that even when you’re deep in the forest looking for your arch-rival bird, you’ll immediately recognize its call upon hearing it. Additionally, the application includes a Photo ID tool which can discern birds through images—similarly, this capability functions offline as well. Naturally, there’s still the choice to include discovered birds on your personal checklist.
Where to Get It:
Available at no cost for both iPhone and Android devices.
merlin.allaboutbirds.org
Raptor ID App
Hawks, falcons
, eagles and other
raptors
Identifying them can be challenging. Introducing Raptor ID, developed collaboratively by HawkWatch International and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. This app offers extensive professional guidance along with detailed range maps and captioned images. One standout feature is the high-quality video content within the application—these clips come with narration explaining various aspects, enabling viewers to contrast flying styles and activities so as to pinpoint the correct species effectively.
Where to Get It:
Available at no cost for both iPhone and Android devices.
hawkwatch.org
Warbler Guide App
Even for experienced birders,
identifying warblers
can pose a difficulty — these birds are tiny, swift, and often found at the top of trees. To assist with this during the fall and spring migrations, the Warbler Guide App from Princeton University Press is now available to aid you.
warbler migration
This app makes it less taxing for bird enthusiasts aiming to expand their lifelists. Utilize its dual-stage recognition method to figure out which warbler you’ve spotted, or examine 3D renderings of warblers showcasing different plumage phases to enhance your identification abilities. With coverage of 48 species and 75 plumage variations within this avian guide application, locating your enigmatic warbler becomes much more feasible.
Where to Get It
: $12.99 for iPhone,
Princeton University Press
