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Merlin Bird Identification app - identifies birds by their call
Posted on 10/16/25 at 7:17 am
Posted on 10/16/25 at 7:17 am
Heard about this app from Steve Rinella. It uses your mic and listens to birds around you. It’s pretty damn cool. Had no idea there were as many different birds around my house. I live in a very wooded area so often times it’s difficult to see the birds I’m hearing but from what I can see this app is dead on accurate. And it’s pretty sensitive. I was using it the other day and heard a crow wayyyy far off. I could barely hear it and thought no way the mic would pick it up but sure enough American Crow popped up. Left it outside this morning while I got ready and it id’d 15 species including a Northerb flicker which I’d never heard of and Kentucky Warbler which it flagged as rare for my area but upon research it appears they’re moving thru on their way to Central America for the winter. Fantastic app just to see what’s around you even if you’re not into birding.
12
Posted on 10/16/25 at 8:39 am to VanRIch
My uncle was telling me about the app recently. I’ve got woods behind my house with tons of birds. Been using it to identify them. Pretty cool app.
Posted on 10/16/25 at 9:02 am to VanRIch
I love using this app with my kids. Our favorite bird IDs at the moment are Bald Eagles and Barred Owls. I find that it can also ID woodpeckers based on their pecking pattern. It's a bad arse app. The only issue I've had is I was trying to capture a Bob White quail and it wouldn't register because it insisted the Bob White wasn't living in that specific area.
Posted on 10/16/25 at 9:28 am to VanRIch
I use it daily during spring and fall migration. Without it, I would have had no idea there were Northern Waterthrushes and Redstarts in my back yard last week.
Posted on 10/16/25 at 9:29 am to VanRIch
It is a good app, I have been using it for some time.
Posted on 10/16/25 at 9:32 am to VanRIch
Yeah I use it all the time, especially when I am out of state
Super cool
Super cool
Posted on 10/16/25 at 11:02 am to VanRIch
Kids love to use it in the stand. Passes some time while still paying attention to whats going on around them. Most mornings we'll hit double digit species in a few minutes.
Posted on 10/16/25 at 11:10 am to VanRIch
Used it recently to ID an Osprey that recently robbed my pond of a few fish.
Posted on 10/16/25 at 3:04 pm to VanRIch
Use it almost daily as we set on the back porch drinking coffee, watching the huge blue heron and whistlers piddle down by the lake. Learned just a couple days ago there is a "fish crow" that has a different sounding call than the american crow.
Posted on 10/16/25 at 3:18 pm to duckblind56
I also use it all the time. It's really become my hobby when I go out of town to a new place. I'll research a few common birds in the cities I'm going to, and see if I can match the call and see the bird. It's a great way to follow the migratory patterns. Doing this for a few years I've built up a pretty awesome Life List.
I really enjoy when the seasons change. Getting the migratory birds back year after year is pretty cool.
I really enjoy when the seasons change. Getting the migratory birds back year after year is pretty cool.
Posted on 10/16/25 at 3:27 pm to VanRIch
quote:
It is a good app, I have been using it for some time.
Posted on 10/16/25 at 3:28 pm to duckblind56
I also learned of the fish crow for the first time this spring due to the Merlin app.
Posted on 10/16/25 at 4:04 pm to duckblind56
quote:Once you hear them a lot, you get it down. Hard to describe, but like a weaker, hoarser common crow.
Learned just a couple days ago there is a "fish crow" that has a different sounding call than the american crow.
Posted on 10/16/25 at 6:49 pm to VanRIch
Used this app for several years. Probably one of the best Apps I have purchased. More folks should give it a try.
Posted on 10/16/25 at 7:09 pm to VanRIch
I love that app. It makes me pay attention to a lot of bird calls that I have always ignored. Really cool.
Posted on 10/17/25 at 6:56 am to VanRIch
After ID'ing try playing the recordings on your phone speaker. I've had some cool experiences feeling like the pigeon lady from Home Alone. Some species, primarily smaller songbirds, will really get into your personal space looking for the source.
Majority of species will ignore you, some will sing with you, and a few will make your day.
Majority of species will ignore you, some will sing with you, and a few will make your day.
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