AI App Merlin Turns Birdsong Novices into Experts

The Merlin Bird ID app, a free tool from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, is revolutionizing how people identify birds through their songs. Utilizing artificial intelligence and machine learning, Merlin can distinguish between the calls of over 1,300 species globally, with its sound identification feature launched in 2021. This technology has made birdwatching more accessible, transforming beginners into knowledgeable enthusiasts.

Downloaded over 33 million times across 240 countries and territories, Merlin has experienced a remarkable surge in popularity. Britain alone has seen over 1.5 million users in 2024, marking an 88% increase from the previous year, with a consistent 30% monthly growth in new users. The app's ability to identify intricate song patterns on spectrograms assists users in confirming their bird identification hunches and learning new species.

Despite its impressive capabilities, Merlin is not without limitations, occasionally misidentifying species based on location or habitat context. However, its overall impact is overwhelmingly positive, fostering a deeper connection with the natural world and offering significant mental health benefits. The app encourages outdoor activity and provides a calming focus, empowering millions globally to engage with nature.