Mobile App for Species Identification: Merlin's Bird ID by Cornell Ornithology Lab

I found several species identification apps available online.  With a variety of bird species inhabiting Fitton Green Natural Area to explore, I decided to download the free field guide Merlin App, powered by eBird, to use when I’m on the trails.  Being able to learn about and identify birds with photos using this app from one’s iPhone or Android smart phone is an incredible technology feature.  Developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, beginner and intermediate biophilic bird watchers can practice bird identification, learn about habitat characteristics, and listen to sound recordings to confirm the accuracy of species identification.  It is easy to use! 

After downloading the app. I began traversing the vast digital world of bird data made available from millions of bird sightings across the United States with over 15,000 bird photos.  The Cornell Lab of Ornithology professionals share tips for identification that I found helpful.  I was impressed how the Merlin app identifies over 2,000 North American common bird species.

Starting the process, I clicked onto “Bird ID” then it asks “Where did you see the bird?” I entered in Philomath, OR.  It then asks, “When did you see the bird?”  I entered in July 14.  The next page asks “What size was the bird?” with four pictures of birds varying from small to large.  Since I thought I saw a chickadee I clicked the circle under the smallest bird icon (when you check the circle it indicates below ‘sparrow-sized or smaller.’  Then, on the next page, Merlin asks, “What were the main colors?” Participants are able to select from 1 to 3 main colors.  I entered black and white.  Next, the question is “Was the bird…?” Participants can select from “Eating at a feeder, swimming or wading, on the ground, in the trees or bushes, on a fence or wire, or soaring and flying.” I selected ‘In trees or bushes.’   Then, it says ‘Creating a list of birds…’  Almost instantly, I’m provided an extensive list of potential birds.  For each bird species there is a high definition close up picture. Below the photo is a detailed physical description of the bird, a sound recording and a ‘details’ feature.

 After I looked through the list, exploring the features, I clicked onto the ‘This is my bird’ as I thought that the bird I saw was a Black-capped Chickadee.  Merlin then posts ‘Congratulations! You identified Black-capped Chickadee.  It says “Your response has been recorded to improve Merlin’s accuracy. To save your eBird Life List, submit this with the eBird app.” It also offer the option for users to share the ID to an email address as well as a link to “Explore Species Details.” Merlin gives excellent detailed description of the Black-capped Chickadee “Tiny, plump-bodied, big-headed bird is a familiar woodland resident and backyard visitor in the northern U.S. and Canada. Gray overall with buffy flanks and a contrasting head pattern: black cap, white cheek, and a black throat.  Short, stubby bill is used for hammering open seeds.  Often the core of mixed flocks of songbirds.”  

Additionally, Merlin Bird ID offers a map of the U.S. for each bird species.  The map highlights the regions it inhabits and indicates year-round, migration, breeding and non-breeding. I went further to explore other resident birds of the Willamette Valley Pacific Northwest region, including one of my personal favorites, the Acorn Woodpecker which I often frequently hear at home pecking like a drummer on trees trunks in the morning.

My favorite feature of the Merlin App is the sound recordings.  Most times when I’m at a park, I hear bird songs but can’t see the birds because they are perched in trees, obscured by branches and leaves or they are in flight.  A fulfilling experience as part of a nature wellness walk is fully immersing one’s senses in the songs of birds.  I find actively engaging my auditory sense in listening to the music of birds is a form of meditation, attuning to the rhythms and melodies of their unique calls.  I have to say, the Merlin app is an excellent learning tool for anyone wanting to enhance their sense of place in the living bird communities of urban and rural parks, open spaces, protected areas and our own backyard.  I will be using it on my future walks!

Reference

Cornell Lab Merlin

Retrieved from

http://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/