Birdwatching is one of life’s simplest yet most rewarding pleasures — and thanks to modern technology, your phone can now be your best birding companion! Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced birder, the right apps can help you identify species, record sightings, learn songs, and connect with fellow bird lovers around the globe. Here’s our carefully selected list of the top 5 Birding Apps every birder should have on their phone.
1. Merlin Bird ID
Merlin is often described as the birder’s magic wand. Developed by the world-renowned Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Merlin Bird ID helps you identify birds anywhere in the world — and it’s free!
The key features of Merlin app include:
- Answer simple questions or snap a photo to ID a bird.
- Includes a huge database covering different continents.
- Sound ID feature: record a bird’s song and get instant suggestions!
The app is good for all birders, from backyard beginners to globe-trotting listers.
eBird Mobile
Also from Cornell Lab, eBird is the world’s largest bird checklist and community science project. This app lets you log your sightings, keep life lists, and share your observations with millions of other birders.
Key features:
- Easy checklists for each trip.
- Find hotspots and recent sightings near you.
- Contributes valuable data for bird conservation worldwide.
Best for:
Birders who love to track their sightings and contribute to science.
iNaturalist
While not solely for birds, iNaturalist is a fantastic all-around nature app for documenting wildlife of any kind — birds, plants, insects, fungi, and more. Snap a photo, get AI suggestions, and connect with a global community of naturalists who help verify your observations. It’s a powerful tool for those who love to explore and learn about the broader ecosystem.
Key features:
- Allows users to record observations of wildlife by uploading photos, sounds, or notes.
- Automatically tags the location and time of the sighting.
- Supports offline data collection, which can be synced later.
- Observations can be confirmed or corrected by the iNaturalist community (other users, naturalists, scientists).
- Observations that are validated by multiple users are marked as “Research Grade.”
Best for: Broad nature identification and community learning.
BirdNET
BirdNET is a cutting-edge, AI-powered app developed by Cornell and Chemnitz University of Technology. It analyzes sound recordings to identify birds by their songs and calls — ideal for when you hear but can’t see the bird!
Key features:
- Record audio and get instant ID suggestions.
- Works offline once you download regional data.
- Fun for night listening and dawn chorus walks.
Best for:
Birders who love identifying birds by ear and experimenting with tech.
Seek app by iNaturalist
The Seek app by iNaturalist is a family-friendly nature exploration app that makes identifying wildlife fun, safe, and educational. It’s especially great for beginners, kids, and casual nature lovers who want to learn about the living world around them without needing to create an account.
Key Features of the Seek App by iNaturalist:
- Real-time species ID: Instantly identifies plants, birds, insects, and more using your camera.
- Learn about nature: Shows species info, taxonomy, range maps, and fun facts.
- Kid-friendly: No sign-up, no ads, privacy-safe for children.
- Badges & challenges: Encourages exploration with achievements and seasonal quests.
- Local species suggestions: Recommends organisms found in your area.
- Optional iNaturalist link: Share observations with the iNaturalist community if you choose.
- Offline use: Works without internet once installed.
- Easy to use: Clean, colorful interface perfect for beginners and families.
Best for: Seek is best for anyone—especially beginners—who wants to learn about nature effortlessly and enjoyably, without needing technical knowledge or an internet connection.