Interested in who’s flitting about the neighborhood? Well, it’s easy to find out with The Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Merlin Bird ID app. This app is truly a wonder. There’s info about spotting and identifying birds you’ve spotted, but the truly amazing feature is the sound ID feature that allows users to identify those cagey ones hiding from sight but singing away undercover.
I downloaded the app and the southeastern US bird collection onto my phone and off I went on a short afternoon walk. In less than an hour I recorded and identified a Northern Cardinal, a Tufted Titmouse, an American Robin, a Carolina Chickadee, a Gray Catbird, an Eastern Towhee, a Red Shouldered Hawk and an American goldfinch.
This app is great for hardcore birders, the faintly curious, and surely a marvel for the kids in your life. And, it’s just nice to know who’s in the neighborhood.
More information at: merlin.allaboutbirds.org/download/