If you’ve spotted a bird that you can’t identify, you’re not alone. Even experienced birders come across unfamiliar birds from time to time. The good news is that there are many resources available to help identify mystery birds. With a photo and a few key details, an expert can provide the species name for an unknown bird. Here are some options for where to send a picture for identification.
Local Birding Groups
One of the best places to start is with local birding groups and nature centers. Most regions have an audubon society or bird club that includes knowledgeable birders. These groups often provide an email address or online form where you can submit a photo and description. Examples include:
- Local audubon society chapters
- Birding clubs on Facebook groups
- Nature centers with birding experts on staff
The advantage of consulting local groups is that they will be familiar with the species found in your area. This makes it easier to pinpoint the bird. Turnaround time is usually fast—often within a day or two. This is a great option if you need a quick ID.
Online Bird Identification Guides
There are now several online tools that can help identify birds from photos. Some popular options include:
- Merlin Bird ID app from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- iBird Pro app
- Audubon Bird Guide app
- WhatBird.com
- Reddit birding forums like WhatsThisBird
These tools rely on image recognition technology and large databases of bird images to suggest possible matches. The accuracy varies, but they can be helpful for narrowing down options. One benefit is the identification is nearly instant. The drawback is that they don’t provide the same level of expert analysis as a birder. But they can be a useful starting point.
eBird from the Cornell Lab
For North American birds, one of the most useful tools is eBird from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. This site allows you to submit photos of unknown birds. There is a strong network of expert birders who provide identifications.
The advantages of eBird include:
- Large team of experienced birders providing IDs
- Feedback on difficult or low-quality photos
- IDs usually provided within 24 hours
- Free service
eBird has become a go-to resource for mystery bird photos. The extensive team of reviewers gives you access to some of the top birding experts. This can help get an accurate ID even for tricky birds.
Professional Birding Organizations
For very difficult identifications, you can submit photos to professional birding organizations. Examples include state ornithological societies and the American Birding Association. These groups have networks of the most knowledgeable birding experts who provide identifications.
The pros of professional organizations are:
- Access to expert-level skills for challenging birds
- Often provide detailed analysis and explanation
- May identify regional rarities
The cons are that it may take longer to get a response, and there may be a fee. But for rare or very difficult birds, this is often the best way to get an authoritative ID.
Social Media Birding Groups
Another option is posting your photo on social media birding groups. Examples include:
- Facebook groups like Bird Identification and Birding
- Subreddits like WhatsThisBird
- Birding hashtags on Twitter and Instagram
These online birding communities have thousands of members spanning beginners to experts. Posting on social media casts a wide net and allows access to extensive collective knowledge. Often multiple responses provide confirmation or differing opinions. The advantages are getting lots of input quickly and for free. Just be sure the groups allow ID requests.
Tips for Better Identifications
To increase your chances of getting an accurate ID, make sure to provide key details:
- Good quality photos from multiple angles
- Location found
- Date seen
- Distinctive markings
- Size comparisons to familiar birds
- Behavior details
Take photos in good lighting whenever possible. Getting clear shots of the head, tail, and any distinctive markings are most helpful. Provide context like a bird feeder for scale. The more visual details you can provide, the better.
Also include the location and date found, which helps rule out unlikely species. Any unique behaviors like feeding, flight pattern, or sounds are also useful clues. The more details you can give, the easier it will be to identify even difficult birds.
Conclusion
Identifying an unknown bird takes some detective work, but help is available. Start locally with birding groups familiar with your area. Use online ID apps and tools as an initial guess. For definitive IDs, tap into expert networks through sites like eBird and professional organizations. And social media provides a crowdsourcing approach. With a good photo and description, birders can usually provide a species name even for birds that are tricky to identify at first glance. The birding community is always happy to help solve the mystery of an unknown bird encounter.