Bird Identifying App

[Barmaid]

I have today downloaded the app "Merlin". Although I have not fully used it yet, I have used it in my garden breaks to see what birds it identifies by their song. So far, I have been quite impressed. This is particularly so given it has been quite blustery today.

I do not think there is a cost (or at least I have not yet discovered one) and just thought others who might want to identify birds would find it useful.

[barry1010]

That is useful to know, thanks Barmaid. I can identify a lot of birds by sight except for the little brown ones and many by sound, but it would be good to have my guesses confirmed.

[Buenchico]

Merlin Bird ID is frequently well-reviewed.

If anyone wants alternatives though, see this list
https://birda.org/best-birdwatching-apps-uk/

and/or here (for iOS)
https://www.birdspot.co.uk/bird-watching-iphone-apps
or here (for Android)
https://www.birdspot.co.uk/bird-watching-android-apps

As an aside, if you're looking for a plant identification app (that works with wildflowers, garden flowers, trees and shrubs), I can personally recommend LeafSnap:
https://leafsnap.app/

[Old_Geezer]

Sounds good: but how do you know the identification has been correct ?

[Old_Geezer]

I've been using plantnet to id plants. Seems reasonable. But sometimes tries to tell me a plant I've asked about in the UK has a better match elsewhere in the world.

[Maydup]

I use Merlin and am very pleased with it.

In response to the question about how we know it’s correct, I can say that experience tells me it’s pretty accurate.

For example, I use it in the garden and hear robins, goldfinches, chaffinches, blackbirds and so on. When I’m at down at the reed bed in the next village I hear warblers, black cap and an oystercatcher. In February we could hear pink footed geese and in June, Little Terns. All the time it’s identifying these birds in their correct environment I feel happy to rely on it to help me with a new birdsong or to tell one warbler from another!