Top Bird Apps

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When I first started birding in my early thirties, we didn’t have a list of top bird apps. My mother-in-law was my mentor, and she let us borrow a few of her birding books and guides. (I do link to those below.)

Admittedly, I’ve been a slow adopter to bird apps because I didn’t want to “clutter up my phone.” But, since I have way more storage on my phone than I can possibly use, I started trying different apps around 2020. (I know, late to the party.)

After checking out quite a few of them, I’ve made a list of my top bird apps.

I also teach tech literacy classes (locally), and I know parents are concerned about the amount of technology and the type of apps their children and teens use. Part of parenting is teaching our older kids how to use technology wisely. Introducing them to top birding apps is a fantastic way to motivate them to engage with the world around them.

Whether you are out on a hike or sitting on the back porch, these tools make it easy to identify species by sight or song. (Although, I do encourage you to have at least one good physical copy birding guide.)

Also, if you don’t want to load an app on your phone, you can use Google Lens. That is what I used before adding a birding app.

Live bird cams are another way to watch birds! Check out all of the live bird cams hosted by AllAboutBirds.com (Cornell’s School of Ornithology).

Here are my top birding apps I’ve tested for ease of use, accuracy, and educational value.

Here are My Top Bird Apps

Please note that some of these apps have a free component, that have some basic features. I will try to note what’s in the premium version, if that information is available. I will say that we always use free versions.

The first two are my absolute favorites.

The Audubon Society (Top Bird App Pick)

The Audubon Society app is one of two of my top bird apps. This is the one I’ve used for over five years and recommend using with your children. Here’s why:

• It’s safe for kids. There is no chat option and no way for anyone to contact them. (My tech literacy teacher side coming out here!)
• It’s easy to use and packed with information.
• The price is ideal – free!
• The Bird ID feature guides you through a series of “filters” (you just tap on icons) to filter by size, color, activity, tail, wing, and more features.
• Once you find the bird you want to ID, it provides a physical description, habitat, several sound recordings, their range, and more.
• Another tap will show you where people in your local area have spotted the bird.
• You can also quickly see similar birds, in the event you think maybe it’s a different bird than what you found through the app.
• One of my favorite ways to search is by “Activity”. So, if the bird is hovering, like a hummingbird, or flying in an undulating path, you can search by those behaviors.
• Very intuitive navigation
• Excellent photographs
• Ad-free

The following link will take you to the app page on their site. You can read more and find links to the Apple and Play Stores.

https://www.audubon.org/app

Merlin (Top Bird App Pick)

Created by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Merlin makes identification simple for kids. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is my favorite birding site and resource. If you haven’t heard of the Great Backyard Bird Count, check out our post here (and grab our free backyard birds lesson for elementary grades.)

We have been using resources from the Cornell School of Ornithology for over 25 years. I highly recommend visiting their site and checking out all they have to offer. We first started with The Backyard Bird Count in February 2000 and have even completed one of their birding courses. They offer the following resources: Bird Academy (which has some great courses you might want to take yourself or integrate into your homeschool), Birds of North America, Celebrate Urban Birds, eBird, the Backyard Bird Count, Merlin, Project FeederWatch, NestWatch, and the Macaulay Library.

Why we love it:

• Again, this one is safe for kids. There is not a chat feature and your children cannot be contacted by anyone.
• It is incredibly intuitive.
• It guides you step by step through the id process. You can answer five simple questions about size, color, location, etc., or upload a photo. I’ve uploaded some fairly blurry photos (taken through glass or screen), and it did a great job of identifying!
• Once you id the bird you spotted, you have the option to go to the eBird app and log it or you can just save it to your Merlin “account”. This is where you will need to create a free account.

When you create an account, it does give you access to the other Cornell birding project, such as their Bird Academy (which has some great courses you might want to take yourself or integrate into your homeschool), Birds of North America, Celebrate Urban Birds, eBird, the Backyard Bird Count, Merlin, Project FeederWatch, NestWatch, and the Macaulay Library.

Merlin is FREE in the iTunes and Google Play Store!

Bird Identifier Sound Call App

This app has a free and premium versions. I’ve only used the free. It’s good for a quick identification. You can search by image or sound. It gets the job done. However, it’s not as detailed as the Audubon or Merlin apps. However, it’s quick and easy to use if you just want quick identification. I have used this for bird sound identification.

It is free and premium in the Play Store and Apple Store.

Larkwire

Larkwire contains 343 bird species and a bird song identification game with four difficulty levels. Create playlists, learn song identification tips, and have fun while listening to the birds around you! The interactive quiz feature shows what you’ve learned. This is such a fun bird app. Kids will just think of it as playing a game when in fact they are learning so much about birds!

Larkwire is $14.99 in the iTunes store or purchase as a web-based app.

BirdNET

This is a sound-based app. It’s best for identifying bird songs. Not available in the Apple Store.BirdNET – Apps on Google Play

eBird Mobile Bird Apps

Let me clarify that this is not a bird identification app, but a way for you to log the birds you spot. Use this along with Merlin. Or use the Merlin app and then store your sightings in the eBird app or section of Merlin.

The free eBird Mobile app will allow you to upload data from anywhere. eBird replaces the former BirdLog app. The eBird Mobile app offers exact location pinning using your phone’s GPS, personal or public HotSpot locations, and easily exported lists to share across media platforms. One feature I love is that eBird Mobile app automatically includes your bird sightings in the Great Backyard Bird Count if you use the app during the GBBC counting period. If you already have an existing GBBC/eBird account, simply log into the app with your account information. If eBird app is new to you, just create a free account.

eBird gives you a paperless way to log your bird sightings. Use this app to track and upload your sightings right to eBird from the field, at home, or on the go. You’ll never lose track of which species you’ve seen and where.

eBird Mobile is FREE in the iTunes and Google Play Store.

Paid Bird Apps

The following apps do have a small cost. 

iPro Birds – North America

Apple Store

Sibley App

Picture Bird  Identifier

This is a paid app for $19.95. Google Play Store only There is some detailed info provided. We did try the 7-Day trial and found it helpful. However, I’m not sure it’s worth paying $19.95 over the other free apps.

Favorite Birding Resources We Use

What’s so great about the Great Backyard Bird Count?

 You don’t have to be a birding expert to take part.

Is a robin the only bird you can identify? That’s fine. GBBC encourages you to count the birds you can identify. Kids are often inspired to learn when they are involved. This event very well may have them off on their own learning quest as they seek to identify the feathered friends they see. Let your kids use some bird apps to identify birds in your backyard. Then let them submit their findings using eBird Mobile. Be sure to check out the GBBC for kids website. There are lots of resources available so kids can learn more about birds.

It’s easy and fun to participate.

According to their website, GBBC simply asks participants to “Count birds for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the GBBC.” You can count longer than 15 minutes, or you can participate one day or all 4 days. It’s up to you! You can submit your findings paper-free using eBird Mobile or submit your list directly on the website as well. GBBC has downloadable instructions available. They also have an instructional video.

If your family is feeling a bit housebound, download a few bird apps. Then, look outside and enjoy the birds in your yard.

 More Ways To Learn About Birds

• Birds of a Feather free printable lesson about backyard birds.
• Notebooking Backyard Birds
• Attracting Birds To Your Backyard
• Easy To Make Bird Feeders
• Bald Eagle Unit Study Ideas
• The Great Backyard Bird Count
• Hands-On Bird Nest Study
• Hummingbird Field Trip

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