One of the most rewarding (and difficult!) parts of being a birder is identifying birdsong. When some bird species can have hundreds of songs all on their own, it’s okay to ask for help!
Technology has never made it easier to identify specific species when you’re out walking or snapping photos.
I have a few birdsong app suggestions to help you finally narrow down whether you’re hearing a Black-headed grosbeak or an American Robin. If you’re short on time, I have my top picks summarized below.
Key Takeaways
- While it’s important to train your ear as a birder, there’s no shame in using tools to give you a boost. Some birds sound very similar to others, so an app can narrow things down for you.
- Beginner birders can instantly get started with free apps such as Merlin Bird ID and Smart Bird ID. There are also highly specialized birdcall apps such as Raptor ID.
- Improving your skills naturally means identifying common bird calls first, using mnemonic devices, and committing to practice as often as possible.
Merlin Bird ID
With no cost to entry and a ringing endorsement as a project by the well-known Cornell Lab, Merlin Bird ID is a must-try app. This handy tool will make identifying birds easier whether you’re a beginner or more experienced.
This guide is separated into four main features to help you narrow down birds you’ve already seen or figure out what birdcall you just heard. Let’s take a look at each section below:
Bird ID Wizard – this is one of the easiest features to use if you saw a bird, but can’t quite figure out what species it was. It’ll ask you about the bird’s size, colors, and current behavior (such as flying or drinking at a feeder).
Then it’ll narrow down the most likely species so you can find your bird!
Sound ID – this is the birdcall identification feature of the app. You simply turn it on and let the app ‘listen’ to the birds nearby, and then it’ll compare the song to songs in its database.
Even better, you don’t have to be connected to Wi-Fi to use it!
Photo ID – if you manage to get a snapshot of an interesting bird, you can upload it to the app for it to cross-reference with its visual database. It’ll narrow down the most likely species, and then send you some side-by-side comparisons.
Life List – this fun feature is like a Pinterest for your birding hobby. Every time you identify a bird, you can hit the ‘Save My Bird’ feature and it’ll automatically create a collage of your different sightings.
This digital bird guide has a wonderfully crisp layout with bright colors and few distractions, making it easy to figure out what you’re going to do next.
Cost
Merlin Bird ID is completely free!
Best for Birders Who..
- Are just starting out and don’t have a large repertoire of identifiable birdcalls yet
- Are more experienced and still need some help differentiating between birdcalls
- Also enjoy photography and want an easy-to-use app that visually identifies birds, too
You can download the Merlin Bird ID on Google Play and the App Store.
ChirpOMatic
This app has a little seniority to its name, having been around since 2015 and still going strong as a go-to bird identification tool. They take the legwork out of birding with an easy press-and-go approach to birdsong.
Imagine you’re walking down a beautifully lit forest trail to catch a glimpse of some rare songbirds in your area. You hear a lilting melody not too far away that you don’t quite recognize.
In this situation, all you’d have to do is whip out your phone, tap ChirpOMatic’s red button, and let the app do the rest. It has a broad database it pulls from to narrow down the birdcall it captures – it’ll even provide a photo match and a description of the birdsong.
Worried you’ll lose your recording? It automatically saves them so you can listen later and start sharpening your ear for specific birdcalls.
If you’re a social birder, you’ll also enjoy its easy sharing features synced with WhatsApp and AirDrop.
Cost
ChirpOMatic costs $3.99 and doesn’t require a subscription.
Best for Birders Who..
- Want a straightforward app with few bells and whistles
- Enjoy sharing their finds online and want easy sharing features
- Need automatic recording features so they can replay their discoveries
You can download ChirpOMatic on Google Play and the App Store.
Smart Bird ID
Curious to know about other free options? Smart Bird ID is a free bird identification app that offers a simple list of features if you just want to get your feet wet with birding technology.
Many classic bird identification app features are here. You have the ability to record birdcall and get immediate suggestions on the type of bird it could be.
You can also snap photos of a bird and get visual comparisons with pre-existing pictures in their database.
What happens if you don’t get a recording or a photo in time? Thankfully, the app comes with a useful questionnaire feature that can help you narrow down the bird you just encountered.
Cost
This app is free, though it does have in-app purchases.
Best for Birders Who..
- Want a well-rounded bird app that offers basic identification for both birdcall and photos
- Aren’t sure if they want to invest in a more robust app yet
- Want an additional way of identifying birds if they miss a recording or a photo
You can get Smart Bird ID on Google Play and the App Store.
Raptor ID
Not all birdcall apps only have vocalizations as their main feature. Now’s never been a better time to be a birder since you get specialized options like the hawk and eagle-loving Raptor ID.
This app offers a wide range of easy-to-access vocalizations so you can identify raptors at a glance. Whether the excitable kee-kee-kee of an American kestrel or the chatter of a merlin, you’ll have a vast library that narrows your search down instantly.
On top of their vocalization database, you get a huge selection of videos and photos with notes to help you identify raptors visually.
Their built-in range map gives you another layer when actively seeking out specific species. This feature is especially wonderful if you don’t want to bring an entire backpack full of supplies.
Cost
This app is completely free!
Best for Birders Who..
- Are particularly fond of raptors such as falcons, hawks, and eagles
- Also want visual elements to give them a well-rounded perspective on each bird
- Need a map to help them travel or narrow down their search
You can get the Raptor ID from the App Store.
Three Tips To Improve Your Birdsong Identification Skills
Ideally, you want to use birdsong apps to help you sharpen your ability to differentiate between birds. I have a few tips below to make the process less daunting and increase your success rate!
Learn the Calls of Common Birds Before Branching Out
The easiest way to get comfortable with birdsong is to build up your mental database with common birdcalls. As the saying goes: you can’t compare something to nothing!
Some of the most common birds with the best-known songs are:
- The American goldfinch
- The Northern cardinal
- House finch
- Red-breasted nuthatch
- Tufted titmouse
Personify the Bird Call With a Mnemonic Device
Have you noticed some birds sound like they’re saying a word or a phrase? This trick is called a mnemonic device – a learning trick that helps you remember difficult information better.
For example, the tufted titmouse has a distinctive call that almost sounds like they’re saying the name ‘Peter’ over and over again. While some birds are already well-known for having ‘name-like’ bird calls, you can come up with your own mnemonic device.
Commit To Practicing as Often as Possible
This tip isn’t fast and fun, but it’s the most effective. To get skilled at recognizing one bird from another, you simply have to put yourself where birds congregate and start practicing!
If that means going on more walks in the park, then go for it. If you’ve considered visiting more wildlife reserves or even watching more wildlife documentaries, those are helpful, too!
Give Bird Apps a Try To Make Birding Even More Fun
Technology fills in the gaps when our knowledge comes up short. While I always recommend practicing your listening skills every chance you get, apps are seriously helpful when you hit a mental blank.
I love to read bird photography books to fully acquaint myself with their plumage or silhouette. I’m also thinking of trying more bird apps next time I’m out for a jog in the park.
As such, take this list as an opportunity to ask how your birding sessions can be more enjoyable with some new tools. When you struggle to remember how a bird sounded or miss the chance to snap a photo, these apps can save you in a pinch.
Curious to learn about other birding tools? You’ll love the following posts: