Bird watchingBirdwatching, also known as birdwatching, is one of the most rewarding activities for those who want to connect with nature and discover the incredible diversity of species that surround us. Thanks to our mobile phones, we can now carry a real bird guide in our pockets, with apps that not only allow us to identify birds by their appearance or song, but also facilitate learning, collaboration, and recording our outdoor experiences.
In this article you will find The best apps to learn to recognize birds from your mobile phoneWe'll analyze its features, unique functions, and advantages for both beginners and experts, integrating all the relevant information from the most prominent and leading online positioning resources, with the goal of offering the most comprehensive and up-to-date guide you can find.
iNaturalist
iNaturalist It is much more than a simple app to identify birds: it is an ambitious project developed in collaboration with the California Academy of Sciences and National Geographic SocietyIts great potential lies in the combination of bird, plant, and animal identification tools alongside a powerful collaborative and scientific community.
With iNaturalist you can:
- Take photographs of birds, plants, or insects and have them identified using artificial intelligence and community experts.
- Discover species close to your location or exotic ones from other regions simply by browsing interactive maps.
- Keep a personalized record of all your observations, which you can share to receive help from naturalists and scientists.
- Be part of projects citizen science, collaborating in the monitoring of species, biodiversity and conservation.
A key advantage of iNaturalist is its broad didactic approach and the ability to access detailed information, comparisons, and comments for each species sighted. The experience is further enriched by the ability to connect with users from around the world, allowing you to learn from experts and enthusiasts in real time.
eBird by Cornell Lab
Developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, eBird It is considered by many experts as The most professional platform for bird tracking and recording worldwide. It allows observers to record their sightings in a massive global database, powered by millions of users, which is key to research and conservation.
eBird Highlights:
- Record bird observations from anywhere in the world, even without Internet access.
- Database based on the recognized Clements List of the Birds of the World with common names in different languages.
- Proposals most likely species depending on location and time of year, making searches easy even for beginners.
- Interactive maps to select sighting locations and increase the accuracy of your data.
- Automatic alerts about rare or unusual birds detected near your area.
In addition to the recording function, eBird allows you to view region-specific bird lists, track migration trends, and participate in citizen science projects. It requires a small initial effort to learn, but the helpful resources and active community make it an essential tool for advancing your birdwatching journey.
GoBird
GoBird It is fully oriented to those who wish locate the best bird watching sites in their environment or during their travels. It was created by and for birdwatchers, prioritizing ease of use and visual information, making it very intuitive even for users without technical experience.
What does GoBird offer?
- Distribution maps and hot spots to identify where rare or interesting birds have been sighted in your area in the last few hours.
- More than 10.000 high-resolution photos y 150.000 recordings of songs and sounds of more than 8.600 species.
- possibility of create and share your own sightings list personalized
- Quick interface that allows you to search for species by name, characteristics or geographic location.
GoBird is highly valued by the community because it allows you to discover rare birds and organize optimal routes for your birdwatching trips. Additionally, the logbook option encourages personal tracking of your progress or that of a group.
Bird Sounds
This app is ideal for those who want to learn to identify birds by their songs. Although it is not a visual identifier, Bird Sounds brings together an extensive collection of real recordings so you can train your ear and associate vocal patterns with specific species.
Main advantages:
- A wide variety of songs and calls to listen to even without an Internet connection.
- possibility of create custom lists with your favorite sounds, or use recordings as a ringtone, notification, or alarm to remind yourself of them daily.
- Useful resource for both educators, families, and fans who want to improve their auditory memory associated with birdwatching.
Using this app complements the visual experience and allows you to recognize species just by listening to their songs in nature, providing a deeper and more sensorial learning experience.
Collins Bird Guide
La Collins Bird Guide is the digital edition of the most recognized field guide in Europe, created by Lars Svensson, Killian Mullarney and Dan Zetterström. It is the best option for those looking for a detailed coverage of European species and top-quality illustrations, becoming a reference for both experts and beginners.
Its main features include:
- More than 700 European species of covered birds, with descriptive sheets, habitat, distribution and identification details.
- 3500 illustrations high quality and more than 750 recordings of songs and calls.
- Advanced search tool and powerful filters to quickly find species based on morphological traits or habitat.
- Function of sighting log associating location and date, useful for documenting your observations by region.
Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab
Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab is recognized worldwide as One of the most advanced and popular applications for identifying birds by photo, song, or locationDeveloped by the prestigious Cornell Lab of Ornithology, it's completely free and leverages artificial intelligence and the eBird database to provide fast and accurate identifications.
Its key functions include:
- Identification in seconds from guided questions, photographs or singing recordings.
- Sound ID: Automatic bird recognition through song analysis, ideal for auditory learning and identifying species without visual contact.
- Customizing bird lists based on your region, with expert advice, maps, photos, and detailed audio in Spanish and other languages.
- Option to record your sightings and track your progress as an observer.
- Continuous content updates, with new bird packs and expansions for different areas of the world.
Picture Bird – Bird Identifier
Application Picture Bird stands out for its intelligent bird recognition through photos or sounds, using deep learning algorithms to quickly and accurately identify birds. Its database includes detailed information on thousands of species, including data on appearance, habitat, diet, and distribution, along with a functional collection to organize your observations.
Among the most valued features are:
- Instant bird identification from photographs or audio recordings.
- Complete encyclopedia of species, with descriptions, photos, sounds and quality videos.
- Specialized articles on identification techniques and tips for attracting birds to your garden.
- Managing your personal collection of identified birds, perfect for children, educators and hobbyists.
If you're looking to enjoy your field trips more, make the most of your phone's potential, and contribute to biodiversity conservation, these apps are the best place to start. Thanks to mobile technology, it's now easier than ever to discover, record, and share the rich birdlife in our environment, with options for all levels and needs.