Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab

Whether you're a casual backyard birder or an avid twitcher chasing lifers, figuring out what bird just flew past can be genuinely tricky. Merlin Bird ID, developed by Cornell Lab, is an app that makes identifying birds across the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania surprisingly easy. You can snap a photo, record a bird song, answer a few simple questions, or browse birds by region — and Merlin will give you a confident ID in seconds.

Powered by eBird, the world's largest database of bird sightings, sounds, and photos, Merlin comes packed with expert ID tips, detailed range maps, photos, and audio recordings to help you sharpen your birding skills over time. Plus, you can log your sightings and contribute your observations back to the global eBird database — making every walk outside a little more rewarding.