Merlin Bird ID, built by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, is one of the most well-known names in bird identification, and for good reason. It has introduced millions of people to birding. But it's not the only option, and depending on what you're looking for in a birding app, you may want to explore what else is out there. If you're searching for an alternative, here's an honest look at what BirdTunes offers.
What BirdTunes Does
BirdTunes is built around a simple idea: identifying a bird should take seconds, not a search through field guide pages or a guessing game based on memory. Point your camera at a bird or hold up your phone to record its call, and BirdTunes returns a species match almost immediately, drawing on a database covering hundreds of species across 50+ countries. With 500+ identifications happening daily, it's a tool that's actively used by birders trying to answer the same question you probably have right now: what bird is that?
Photo Identification
Snap a photo of a bird — whether it's perched at your feeder, flying overhead, or sitting in a tree at a distance — and BirdTunes analyzes the image to suggest the most likely species. It's designed to work with real field conditions in mind, not just clean, close-up photos, since that's what most people are actually working with when they spot something unfamiliar.
Sound Identification
Many birds are heard far more often than they're seen. BirdTunes' sound identification listens to a recorded call or song and matches it against its species database, which is especially useful for birds high in dense foliage or those that are simply too quick to photograph.
Detailed Species Profiles
Identification is just the starting point. Every species in BirdTunes comes with a detailed profile covering diet, habitat, and behavior — so you're not just learning a name, you're learning what that bird eats, where it's likely to turn up, and what it's probably doing when you see it. This is where BirdTunes leans into being a learning tool, not just a lookup tool.
Ethical Viewing Guidance
Part of BirdTunes' species information includes guidance on observing birds without disturbing them, covering safe distances and behavior to avoid, particularly during sensitive periods like nesting season. This reflects a broader principle in BirdTunes' design: identification should never come at the cost of the bird's wellbeing.
A Built-In Birding Community
BirdTunes connects you with other users through its community features, letting you share sightings, photos, and recordings with birders nearby. For anyone new to an area or looking to connect with other people who share the hobby, this turns BirdTunes from a solo identification tool into a way to find your local birding community.
Who BirdTunes Is Built For
Whether you're a complete beginner who just spotted your first unfamiliar bird at a backyard feeder, or a more experienced birder who wants a fast way to confirm an identification in the field, BirdTunes is designed to scale with you. The core experience — point your camera or microphone and get an answer — stays simple at every skill level, while the species profiles and community features give you somewhere to go once you're ready to go deeper.
Try BirdTunes for Yourself
The best way to know if BirdTunes fits what you're looking for in a birding app is to try it on the next bird you see or hear. With photo and sound identification, detailed species information, and a community of fellow birders, it's built to be the kind of tool you reach for every time you find yourself asking: "what bird is that?"