Merlin Bird ID App by Cornell

[TuxedoKat]

Anyone else using this App? I've been using the sound identifier feature to know which birds are singing around me. I already had several bird songs memorized before using this app, such as the Bluebird, House Wren, various Woodpeckers, Baltimore Oriole (beautiful, loud, clear song!), Catbird, etc. I've been amazed to see that so many more birds are around me that I've never seen: Scarlet Tanager, Yellow Warbler, Canada Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Eastern Wood Peewee, Brown Creeper, Wood thrush, Hermit Thrush, and even a Mockingbird which I've been trying to attract to my yard for years. Some of these birds are no doubt migrating further north but hopefully some of them are around for the whole summer, like the Eastern Kingbird.

[IA8IT]

1. Great App

[CrispyQ]

2. Have you seen the movie "The Big Year?"

There's a scene with Jack Black at work in his cubicle &, well I don't want to ruin it for you. It's a great movie if you like birds.

Will check out this app!

[TuxedoKat]

7. Thanks for the movie rec

I will definitely check it out! Let me know how you like the app if you get a chance.

[Arkansas Granny]

3. I've used it a few times and was pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to use.

I've been able to identify several birds that migrate through this area, but aren't residents.

[MuseRider]

4. I had given up looking

for one of these. How did I ever miss this? Thank you so much, downloading it now.

[Probatim]

5. I use it all the time and really like it - and it's helped my wife become a better birder.

A few comments:
-+
First, you do need to treat it as another tool in birding. Eyes, ears, binoculars, field guide, and Merlin are all good tools. If you're in Maine and Merlin says you hear a Mangrove Cuckoo, you should treat it with a grain of salt.

My wife would get all excited - "Merlin says it heard a screech owl!!!!" I'd ask - "did you hear a screech owl?" A lot of the time, Merlin hears a part of a bird song, runs it through its database, and spits out the closest match. The closest match could be on another continent.

Second, the app seems to perform differently depending on the OS of your cell phone. I think my iPhone does a better job of picking up sounds than my wife's Android phone. It could be a number of factors (e.g., cell phone case, etc.), but we've both noticed my phone is a bit more sensitive.

Finally, your phone's microphone has some limitations - if there's a lot of background or wind noise, using the app is an exercise in fertility (i.e., you're screwed); however, companies such as Rode make external microphones that are both directional and have wind dampers. I haven't used them personally but I did bird with a guy in FL who was using one. He said it expands Merlin's usefulness significantly.

Hope this didn't come off as too preachy - I like the app and have used it a lot over the last few weeks (it's warbler season in the northeast).

[TuxedoKat]

9. I have a newer iPhone

I will check into the wind dampers. So far I think it's pretty accurate as it identifies alot of calls I already know and I see these birds at around the same time. Not all though.

I do use a lot of bird tools! Swift binoculars, bird books, various bird association memberships, bird FB groups, bird apps, etc. I should have been an Ornithologist! Thanks for the tips!

[Probatim]

10. The Rode product is a video mic...

https://rode.com/en/microphones/mobile/videomic-me-l#module_4

They have them for devices that have a C port as well. They call the wind damper a furry windshield.

The guy who was using one had his connected to a cable not directly to his cell phone. The cable seems like it might be more user friendly - rather than disconnecting the microphone every time the phone goes in your pocket.

Good luck!

[in2herbs]

6. Is this app geared towards East coast birding or does it include the SW? nt

[TuxedoKat]

8. It's for the whole US

not sure about other countries, but I think so.

[elleng]

11. Nope, haven't used it, but