Quick Answer
Yes, there are several apps and websites that allow you to upload a picture of a bird and get help identifying what species it is. Some popular options include Merlin Bird ID, iNaturalist, Birdseye, and the Audubon Bird Guide. These tools use computer vision and machine learning to analyze the photo and suggest possible matches from a database of bird species. Uploading a clear photo, preferably showing the bird’s distinguishing features like the head, beak, wings, tail, and feet, will increase the accuracy of the identification. While not perfect, these services can be a helpful starting point before confirming the ID yourself with a bird guidebook or expert.
Uploading a Photo to Identify a Bird
Identifying birds can be tricky, even for experienced birdwatchers. Subtle distinctions in color patterns, beak shape, feather markings, and song make telling different species apart challenging at times. When you spot an unfamiliar bird, snapping a photo and uploading it to an identification app or website is a convenient way to get help figuring out what it is. Here are some options for services that accept photo uploads:
Merlin Bird ID App
The Merlin Bird ID app from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology is one of the most popular bird identification apps. After downloading the app to your smartphone, you can take or upload a photo of a bird and answer a few simple questions about things like location, color, size, and behavior. Merlin will offer a list of possible matches with photos and descriptions to help you learn the identity of the bird. The app has an extensive database of North American bird species. One useful feature is that you can get suggestions tailored to your exact location based on GPS.
iNaturalist
iNaturalist is a community platform for documenting biodiversity around the globe. On the iNaturalist website or mobile app, you can upload a bird photo for help with identification. The community of over 100,000 users can provide suggestions on the species. Images with location data may also give you matches based on known bird distributions. One advantage of iNaturalist is you can also get help identifying other wildlife like insects, plants, fungi, and more.
Birdseye Bird Identification App
Birdseye is an app created by the Audubon Society specifically for identifying birds. You take or choose a photo and mark the bird location. Birdseye will provide possible species matches complete with information, bird sounds, and helpful tips for differentiating similar species. The app covers commonly seen birds in the United States and Canada. One handy feature is that you can build a Life List of all the bird species you’ve identified.
Audubon Bird Guide App
The Audubon Bird Guide is another bird identification app you can install to your mobile device. It uses image recognition technology to analyze photos of birds and suggest a shortlist of possible species along with informative profiles. You also have access to photos, range maps, bird songs, and ID tips. Filters allow you to narrow down the options based on details like location, predominant color, size, and shape. Accounts enable you to keep track of the birds you identify.
Other Bird Identification Websites
Along with mobile apps, there are also websites where you can submit a photo of an unknown bird and get input on its possible identity. Here are some top options:
– BirdSnap: Upload a photo or use your camera to take one, then answer questions about appearance, behavior, location, and time seen to get species suggestions along with informative profiles.
– Bird Identification Facebook Group: Post your photo on this active community Facebook group for help from amateur birding enthusiasts around the world.
– Reddit What’s This Bird: Reddit’s bird identification subreddit r/whatsthisbird is another place you can share a photo to have the knowledgeable community weigh in.
– eBird ID Tool: On the eBird website, the ID tool allows you to upload images for input from eBird’s network of experts. You’ll get possible matches and can view photos and range maps.
Getting the Best Photo for Identification
To get accurate results, make sure you take the best possible photo of the mystery bird before uploading. Here are some tips:
– Get as close as you can safely for a clear, detailed shot. Avoid cropping the bird too tightly.
– Try different angles to show key features like the head, eye stripe, beak shape, wing markings, tail shape, leg color, and feet.
– Take multiple photos if possible in case some are blurry or poorly lit.
– Catch distinguishing behaviors like feeding, flying, walking, or perching in the shot.
– Frame the bird separate from a busy background to make it stand out.
– For small birds, consider using binoculars or zoom lens for a close-up.
– Take photos in good lighting and avoid backlit shadows obscuring details.
– Shoot in landscape orientation for easier viewing on phones and websites.
– Include something for scale like a leaf, twig, flower, or your finger.
– Note key details like color of beak, eyes, legs, and plumage.
Getting a clear portrait showing the bird’s diagnostic features will provide the best chance for identification services to give accurate results.
Limitations of Photo Identification
While uploading photos of unknown birds can be very helpful for identification, it’s not foolproof. Keep the following limitations in mind:
– Results are best treated as an informed starting point, not definitive ID. Always confirm suggestions with field guides or experts.
– Species that look very similar can be hard to positively distinguish based only on one photo. More photos and different angles help.
– Poor quality, blurry, and obscured photos limit visibility of key features needed for accurate ID.
– Odd lighting conditions or color distortions can throw off color-based suggestions.
– Juvenile and female birds often look different than adult males pictured in guides.
– Geographical setting is key. Species found in one region may be absent from another.
– Rare species and unusual plumages are less likely to get correct matches.
– Apps and websites can only suggest from species in their databases, which may not cover all birds worldwide.
– Computer vision technology has limitations in consistently assessing intricate feather patterns with complete accuracy across all bird groups.
– Suggestions are only as strong as the underlying programming, so misidentifications are possible.
Confirming the Bird Species Identification
Once you’ve gotten some possible identifications from uploading your mystery bird photo, take steps to confirm the ID before adding a new species to your life list:
– Compare photos carefully to field guide illustrations and range maps for the species suggested. Do details like plumage, size, shape, and geography match?
– Listen to included bird calls and songs. Do they match what you heard from the bird? Unique vocalizations can clinch the ID.
– Read the descriptive text and notes about identification pitfalls. Is something mentioned that doesn’t fit your observation?
– Consider when and where you saw the bird. Is that within the expected range and habitat of the species? Time of year matters too.
– Examine the birding community suggestions and discussions for any disagreements that cast doubt or suggest alternatives.
– Post the photo on social media birding groups for a consensus. Ask experienced local birders to weigh in.
– Return to the location to observe the bird again for more diagnostic views and behaviors.
– Record audio or video along with photos to review more clues like song, movement, and mannerisms.
– Note any key marks like bands or unusual features to help distinguish between look-alikes.
Taking the time to carefully verify the suggested IDs will give you confidence you have accurately identified the new bird species.
Using Photos to Aid Visual Bird Identification
Identifying birds visually takes skill, so having a photo to review after an observation can be invaluable:
– **Study a shot of a new bird at leisure**. A photo lets you notice subtle field marks you may have missed when watching a moving bird.
– **Compare photos side-by-side with guide illustrations**. Matches in plumage and proportions are more apparent.
– **Share tricky photos with experts for help**. A photo gives them something specific to evaluate.
– **Review a sequence of photos** showing distinct angles, behaviors, or key features to piece together an ID.
– **Maintain a photo collection** of the birds you identify organized by species as a reference.
– **Create a visual memory aid** with photos of similar species next to each other to remember how to tell them apart.
– **Make notes on photos** about key ID points while the observation is fresh to cement the learning.
With practice over time, carefully studying photos of the birds you observe will help sharpen your visual identification skills in the field.
Photographing Birds for Identification Tips
Follow these tips when photographing an unknown bird to get images that will best aid identification:
– **Get close** to fill the frame with the bird. Full body shots are ideal along with close-ups showing head and beak details.
– **Use a fast shutter speed** to freeze motion for a sharp shot. Aim for at least 1/1000 sec.
– **Maneuver for bright, even lighting** with the sun behind you and no harsh shadows. Light belly and head feathering is important.
– **Pick a clean background** to isolate the bird. Avoid clutter.
– **Focus precisely** on the bird’s eyes for maximum sharpness.
– **Bracket exposures** since light and dark feathers can fool the camera. Take some shots over and under what the camera sets.
– **Track flying birds** and pan the camera to keep them sharp.
– **Shoot in burst mode** to get alternative views and positions as the bird moves.
– **Be patient** for characteristic behavior shots like preening, singing, and interacting.
– **Return to the same spot** for another encounter. The second time your pictures may be clearer.
– **Carry the proper gear** like a telephoto lens for magnification, a tripod for stability, and binoculars for tracking.
– **Record audio and video** too for sounds and actions that further confirm identity.
Photographing birds takes some specialized techniques and equipment. With practice, you can get great shots to pin down those hard-to-identify species.
Conclusion
Uploading a photo of an unknown bird to identification services and communities online provides a helpful starting point for figuring out what species it is. Apps like Merlin Bird ID can instantly analyze images and suggest possibilities for further verification. To get accurate results from upload-based identification, strive to take clear, well-lit photos showing the bird’s key features and behaviors. While technology has limits and you should take suggestions as informed guesses rather than definitive IDs, a photo can give you a leg up in cracking your bird identification mystery. With an uploaded image and review from knowledgeable birders, plus studying your field guide, you can zero in on a positive identification. So next time you see a bird you can’t quite place, snap some shots and upload them to uncover what new feathered friend has entered your life list.