Merlin Bird ID

What Is It, In Plain Words?

Merlin Bird ID is a free app from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. It tells you what bird you're looking at from a photo, or what bird is singing just by listening.

Hold up your phone in the garden, and it lists the birds it can hear in real time.

What You Can Use It For

• Garden birdsong. Find out what's singing at dawn.
• Walks. Snap a photo of a bird and get its name.
• Learning. Read about each bird and hear its call.

Getting Started Step By Step

On A Phone Or Tablet

1. Open the App Store (iPhone and iPad) or Google Play (Android).
2. Search for Merlin Bird ID and check it's made by Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Copycat apps exist.
3. Tap Get or Install, then open it.
4. The first time you open it, download the free bird pack for your country (such as Britain and Ireland, or US: Northeast).

Things To Try Typing

Things to try in the app.

What It Costs

It's free. There's no paid version to buy.

If anyone asks you to pay to use it, or to "unlock" it, that's a scam.

Privacy And Safety

• Merlin can use your location to suggest birds near you. You can turn location off in your phone's settings.
• Never type passwords, PINs, bank or card numbers, your National Insurance number (UK) or Social Security number (USA).

Good Points And Watch-Outs

Good Points

• Sound ID is remarkably good.
• Free, with no adverts.
• Works with larger text and has clear pictures.

Watch-Outs

• Background noise like traffic can confuse Sound ID.
• Bird packs take up storage space on your phone.
• It can be wrong. Check the photos and recordings it shows.

Similar Tools

• Seek by iNaturalist: identifies plants and wildlife, no account needed.
• PictureThis: names plants and gives care tips.
• Google Lens: point your camera at anything to identify it.

Common Questions

Is Merlin Bird ID free?

Yes, it's completely free.

Does it work in the UK?

Yes. Download the Britain and Ireland bird pack.

Can it identify a bird from its song?

Yes. Tap Sound ID and hold up your phone.