Nature
Merlin Bird ID
Kids hold a phone up to birdsong or snap a photo, and Merlin suggests which birds might be around them.
Merlin comes from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and in a backyard it plays out a bit like a detective game. With Sound ID running, the app listens to the songs nearby and seems to light up a bird’s name as each one sings. A photo, snapped or uploaded, brings back a short list of likely matches. When the bird has already flown, kids can answer three simple questions about what they spotted and Merlin offers possible species. Each bird page carries photos, songs, calls, range maps and tips, and sightings can be saved to a life list. Kids who like patterns may soon recognize the feeder regulars by ear, and a walk starts to sound different once they do.
- Ages
- Families birding together
- Works on
- iPhone and iPad app; Android app
- Topics
- Nature, Science
- Languages
- English, Spanish
- Listed
- 2026-10-18
What kids do
- Let Sound ID name a singing bird
- Snap a photo and compare likely matches
- Answer three questions about a mystery bird
- Add a sighting to a life list
Who it suits
Families birding together.
Notes for parents
Built by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. The maker says regional bird packs can be downloaded so Sound ID and Photo ID keep working on trails without signal.
What you need
- iPhone, iPad or Android device
- Microphone
- Camera
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