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Merlin Bird ID helps people work out which bird they have seen or heard. Developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, it suits curious beginners as well as birders who want a reference while outdoors. You can answer questions about a bird’s appearance, use a photo to look for a match, or listen for calls with Sound ID.
The app offers bird packs for different regions, so you can focus on species likely to be found where you are. Packs can be downloaded for use without an internet connection, which is useful when you are birding away from reliable service. The identification tools offer different ways to narrow down a bird: describe what you noticed, compare a photo, or check its sound.
Merlin is a reference tool for learning how to recognize birds, not just a way to name an unfamiliar call. Its Cornell Lab background connects the app to ornithological expertise, while the guided questions make identification approachable if you are still learning bird names and field marks. The app also works alongside eBird, Cornell Lab’s birding platform, for people who want to record sightings.
Merlin Bird ID is listed in Books & Reference and is published by Cornell Lab of Ornithology. It has a 4.9 rating from more than 146,000 reviews and over 5 million installs. Ratings and app details can change as the developer updates its store listing; the Google Play page has the current record.
