Identify the birds you see, hear, or photograph on your smartphone using the Free Merlin Bird ID App that provides color photos, sounds, range maps, and more. It’s easy to use too; just answer 3 simple questions about a bird you are trying to identify and Merlin will give you a list of possible matches. Merlin offers quick identification help for all levels of birders to help you learn about the birds you find across the Americas and, if you wish, worldwide. Using easy step-by-step instructions, you can identify any birds and learn more about each species in the process.

You can also explore lists of birds observed in your area, or at any location you choose. You can even filter observations to include just the birds recorded during different seasons or time periods.

Sound ID listens to bird songs and shows real-time suggestions for what species is singing. Then you can compare your recording to the songs and calls in Merlin to confirm what you heard.

Take a photo of a bird, or select one from your camera files, and Photo ID will provide a short list of possible matches. Photo ID works completely offline, so you can identify birds in the photos you take wherever you are.

There are so many interesting aspects to using this miracle Merlin birding app, developed by the tech wizards at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and it’s all Free at Merlin Bird ID – Free, instant bird identification help and guide for thousands of birds – Identify the birds you see (allaboutbirds.org)

And to learn more about how to identify bird songs and calls, this Merlin article will be helpful: What's That Bird Song? Merlin Bird ID Can Tell You | All About Birds All About Birds