Being able to identify birds by their sounds is an invaluable skill for any birdwatcher or nature enthusiast. Thankfully, technology has made this easier than ever with a variety of bird identification apps now available. But with so many options to choose from, it can be tricky to know which app is the best fit for you. When looking for a great free bird song identification app, there are a few key factors to consider.
Ease of Use
First and foremost, you’ll want an app that is intuitive and easy to use. The best bird ID apps have clean interfaces that allow you to quickly record, upload, and get an analysis on bird sounds. Apps that require complex settings or have cluttered designs can get confusing. Pick an app with straightforward controls and logical menus.
Accuracy of Identification
Accuracy is paramount when identifying bird vocalizations. The whole point of using an app is to quickly get correct identifications. The top apps utilize advanced audio recognition technology and large databases of bird sounds to return matches with a high degree of accuracy. Be wary of apps that frequently misidentify recordings or return many low-confidence matches.
Database Size
Related to accuracy is the size of the app’s database. Apps with more bird sounds in their database—especially regional sounds—will be better equipped to match your recordings. The best free bird ID apps boast huge libraries with thousands of species from around the world. This ensures you’ll get a match on just about any vocalization.
Regional Bird Libraries
In addition to a large overall library, the ideal bird vocalization app will have comprehensive regional databases. This allows the app to narrow the matches based on your location to improve accuracy. If you only plan to use it in one area, choose an app with robust libraries for your specific region.
Ability to Record Sound
To identify birds by ear, you’ll need to record their sounds first. The top apps allow you to make recordings directly within the app rather than requiring you to upload existing audio. This allows you to conveniently make recordings anytime and anywhere your phone picks up bird sounds.
Photos and Descriptions
The best bird song identifier apps provide more than just a name when you get a match. Having photos of the birds along with facts and descriptions allows you to confirm the identification and learn more about the species. This converts the app into an informative field guide as well.
Offlinfe Capability
You’ll likely want to identify bird vocalizations even when you don’t have an internet connection available. The most useful apps can run and match recordings offline once the databases have been downloaded. This allows you to identify bird sounds anywhere from remote forests to your backyard.
Cost
There are excellent bird identification apps available for free as well as paid versions with more features. As a budget-conscious beginner, your best bet is starting with a free app to get familiar with the bird ID process. Here are some top options to consider:
Merlin Bird ID
Merlin Bird ID developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a very user-friendly free app. It has clear menus, beautiful photos, and an accuracy rating of around 90%. The worldwide database includes over 400 species.
Shazam for Birds
Shazam is best known for identifying music, but they also offer an accurate free bird call identification app. It can recognize over 1000 species with a library focused on North America. An internet connection is required.
ChirpOMatic
This app has excellent accuracy for common North American backyard birds. With a simple design, it’s easy to record sounds and get quick matching. The free version has about 150 species.
Larkwire
Larkwire approaches bird ID through matching visual spectrograms. It has a large library and strong accuracy for a free app. An account is required to save recordings and identifications.
BirdGenie
BirdGenie is a newer entry with an audio recognition model trained on millions of recordings. It claims over 3000 species recognizeable from anywhere in the world. The app and database are completely free.
Premium Options
Paid subscription versions typically offer better accuracy, larger databases, advanced features, and zero ads. Popular paid options include:
Warblr
Warblr has a massive collection of recordings from Xeno-Canto to train its AI model. It can identify 4000+ species globally with high accuracy. Plans are $3.99 monthly or $39.99 annually.
iBird Pro
The paid iBird Pro has excellent accuracy across over 1100 species worldwide. It includes advanced editing tools, quizzes, and the ability to save recordings. Plans start at $14.99 annually.
Song Sleuth
With 50,000 recordings, Song Sleuth claims the largest North American song library. Subscriptions start at $3.99 monthly. They offer high accuracy and advanced filtering tools.
Conclusion
Identifying birds simply by sound has never been easier thanks to these handy apps. For a full-featured free option, Merlin Bird ID or BirdGenie are great choices with solid accuracy. Or try the premium tier of an app like Warblr or Song Sleuth for more advanced features. Whichever you choose, you’ll be an expert at birding by ear in no time.