How to get the most out of your bird identification app on your smartphone

Bird watching has become an increasingly popular hobby, attracting enthusiasts from all walks of life. Imagine stepping into your backyard or a local park, and with just a few taps on your smartphone, you can identify bird songs, display photos, provide detailed information, and even sample bird calls. Thanks to advancements in AI technology, bird identification apps and smartphones now offer a convenient and efficient way to enhance this experience. This seamless integration of technology not only makes bird watching more accessible but also enriches the overall experience for both novice and seasoned bird watchers.

However, while smartphone microphones are handy, they have their limitations. They pick up every bird within their range, which can be overwhelming. This is where external microphones come into play. These microphones, which you can easily attach to your smartphone, offer a greater range and better sound quality. For instance, an external shotgun mic won't increase the range but will provide more directionality, focusing on sounds from a specific area rather than all around you.

For those looking to take their bird watching to the next level, a parabolic microphone is a game-changer. Even a small parabolic microphone, like the KLOVER MiK 09, can increase the range by 5 or 6 times and focus on a narrow area, making your bird identification app more powerful and accurate. Just remember to aim the parabolic mic properly to capture the desired bird song.

One challenge with birding apps is that they don't allow you to listen to the audio the smartphone uses to identify the bird song in real time. This makes it difficult to focus on a specific bird or area. To overcome this, you can use a two-step method: first, record the audio while listening to it and targeting the bird call you are most interested in. Then, import that recorded audio into the Merlin bird identification app.

The Blackmagic Camera app is excellent for recording audio. It allows you to select an external microphone and monitor the audio on your headphones or earbuds. This way, you can aim the microphone at the area of interest and focus on the bird call you want to identify.

Once you have recorded the audio, open the Merlin app and select "My Sound Recordings." Click on the three dots menu (upper right corner of the screen) and select "Import." After selecting your location, Merlin analyzes the audio and identifies the bird calls. You can also transfer the audio to a computer for further analysis using software like Kaleidoscope or BirdNet.

The ability to import prerecorded audio sets Merlin apart and makes it the best bird identification app. However, if Merlin allowed you to monitor the audio the phone captures, the app would be even better. I have suggested this change to the makers of Merlin. If you agree, please make the same suggestion.

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