Have you discovered Merlin Sound ID? I absolutely love it. As a birder of only a few years, it is much easier for me to identify birds by sight rather than by sound. Merlin Sound ID is helping me change that. It allows me to check my sound IDs – did I just hear a Marsh Wren? And when I hear a sound that I do not recognize, Merlin Sound ID will give me an idea of what bird to look for. 

This morning as I sat at my desk, windows open, I heard a loud ka-ka-ka-ka-ka-ka-ka-ka. My phone was sitting right next to me, so I quickly opened Merlin, pressed Sound ID and waited for the bird to call again. There it was, ka-ka-ka-ka-ka-ka-ka-ka. Merlin immediately identified it as a Cooper’s Hawk. A bird that I have frequently seen around our home but did not recognize from it’s call.

This spring, Merlin helped me find, Lazuli Bunting, Wilson’s Warbler, and Western Tanager - all birds I easily recognize by sight but cannot identify by calls or songs. As I bird if I hear a song or call I don’t recognize, I’ll open the app and see what Merlin suggests. Then I’ll stop and scan the area until, if I am lucky, I can see the bird. 

There are a couple limitations to Merlin Sound ID. Depending on the quality of your phone, you may be able to hear sounds that the app cannot. Merlin recommends getting as close to the bird as you can without disturbing it, standing still, remaining quiet and recording for at least 30 seconds. It is also a good idea to set the location on your Merlin app prior to trying to use Sound ID. And be sure to download the bird packs you will need prior to using.

You can learn more about the Merlin app and Merlin Sound ID by visiting All About Birds. If you are using Merlin Sound ID when creating an eBird checklist, be sure to follow eBird’s best practices for using Merlin Sound ID. This eBird article also provides instructions for uploading your Merlin Sound ID recordings to your eBird checklist.

I hope you will enjoy Merlin Sound ID as much as I do and happy birding.

-Mary Forrestal