Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab icon

Merlin Bird ID: Bird Identification

by Cornell University

4.9
IOSReference

Merlin Bird ID is the leading app for bird identification, using AI to identify birds by sight and sound. Powered by eBird, it offers expert tips, customized lists, and keeps track of your sightings, anywhere in the world.

About Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab

Merlin Bird ID is your go-to app for solving the mystery of "What's that bird?" This app identifies birds you see and hear with machine learning. It's powered by eBird, the world’s largest database of bird sightings, sounds, and photos. Merlin offers multiple ways to identify birds: answer simple questions, upload a photo, record a singing bird, or explore birds in a region. "In just seconds, this app actually identifies all of the birds that are audible or visible in my backyard!" Get expert ID tips, range maps, photos, and sounds to build your birding skills. Discover a new bird species each day with the personalized Bird of the Day feature. Get customized lists of birds you can find where you live or travel, anywhere in the world, and keep track of your sightings. Merlin Sound ID and Photo ID use machine learning to identify birds in photos and sounds. The app learns to recognize bird species based on millions of photos and sounds collected by birders at eBird.org. Merlin has bird photos, songs, calls, and identification help for anywhere in the world. "The way this app works is impressive. It’s super accurate, and very informative." It's a fantastic tool for bird watching and wildlife enthusiasts.

Key Features

  • Identify birds by sound, photo, or answering questions
  • Explore customized lists of birds for any location
  • Keep track of your bird sightings

Why Users Love It

Accurately identifies birds by sound and image
Provides expert tips and detailed information
""I love this app and it’s been accurate... Great App" (5/5) – 100 chars"

Perfect for: Perfect for bird watchers of all levels, from curious beginners to experienced birders.

Screenshots

Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab screenshot 1Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab screenshot 2Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab screenshot 3Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab screenshot 4Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab screenshot 5Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab screenshot 6

📊Ranking History

Track Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab's performance in Reference over the last 30 days

Top 5
Top 10
Top 15
Below 15

Current Rank

#11

Best Rank

#8

🏆

All-time high

Average Rank

#11

📈

30-day average

User Reviews

JackalPlays
8/2/2025

I first got Merlin somewhere between winter and spring, and it has been incredible throughout the year. For context, I really like photography, specifically of birds. This app has allowed me to identify the birds I take photos of thanks to the large amount of sample images they showcase of each type of bird. Not only this, but it has also taught me the differences between several of the female birds in my area (house sparrows and house finches. They look fairly similar until you know what patterns to look for.) this app has also helped me find birds I never would have even imagined I could find, thanks to the fact it can take audio recordings and identify what birds are singing in them. I found a lazuli bunting thanks to this app, a male at that, and was able to get photos of him. If I hadn’t had Merlin, I never would have known a bright blue bird was singing just across the road. I have learned so much about the birds in my neighborhood, and thanks to Merlin I’m able to get excited knowing what each type of bird is. Amazing + Accurate I first got Merlin somewhere between winter and spring, and it has been incredible throughout the year. For context, I really like photography, specifically of birds. This app has allowed me to identify the birds I take photos of thanks to the large amount of sample images they showcase of each type of bird. Not only this, but it has also taught me the differences between several of the female birds in my area (house sparrows and house finches. They look fairly similar until you know what patterns to look for.) this app has also helped me find birds I never would have even imagined I could find, thanks to the fact it can take audio recordings and identify what birds are singing in them. I found a lazuli bunting thanks to this app, a male at that, and was able to get photos of him. If I hadn’t had Merlin, I never would have known a bright blue bird was singing just across the road. I have learned so much about the birds in my neighborhood, and thanks to Merlin I’m able to get excited knowing what each type of bird is.

IworkInQA
8/1/2025

Identifies birds by call/song, or picture. It doesn’t always get it right, but 90% of the time it does. And it seems to be getting better. Amazing Identifies birds by call/song, or picture.It doesn’t always get it right, but 90% of the time it does. And it seems to be getting better.

GLawley
8/2/2025

Merlin is one of my favorite apps! So helpful in identifying birds, which is actually a fun activity! And it is exciting when you discover a “new” bird in your yard! Merlin Merlin is one of my favorite apps! So helpful in identifying birds, which is actually a fun activity! And it is exciting when you discover a “new” bird in your yard!

Tn Kandy
8/3/2025

As a new bird watcher/photographer this has been an incredible help! I love everything about it. The only thing missing is an average size, or size range, to help in finding an unknown bird. Excellent As a new bird watcher/photographer this has been an incredible help! I love everything about it. The only thing missing is an average size, or size range, to help in finding an unknown bird.

Dixonclarke
8/5/2025

This amazing app has helped me to further identify local birds. Found out I had red shouldered hawks and hairy woodpeckers! Incredible This amazing app has helped me to further identify local birds. Found out I had red shouldered hawks and hairy woodpeckers!

App Details

Developer

Cornell University

Platform

ios

Rating

4.9

Last Updated

8/7/2025