Contact Merlin Bird ID Support

I’m shocked this app still has 5 stars overall. I’ve used Merlin Bird ID for years and it really simplified the identification process. When I first started using it there was only a limited database and it was still being expanded so I was very forgiving when I bumped into its limitations. At this point though, I just get annoyed and mad that I can’t ID the birds I’m spotting. The app doesn’t let you ID birds it doesn’t believe are in your area, and it also doesn’t let you manually ID birds by name in the event the search doesn’t bring up your bird. For example, in Southern California I had a Red Shouldered Hawk in my neighborhood for several weeks. I thought it was very strange because they’re not normally in the area and I double, triple and quadruple checked the bird with various apps and field references listening to his call and markings to make sure it wasn’t the standard Red-Tailed Hawk. I wanted to ID the bird in Merlin to help the database and other birders but the app wouldn’t let me. Once again, this time in Maine, I’m staring at an Indigo Bunting (rare) eating at a feeder. Even with the regional packs downloaded Merlin won’t let me ID the bird. Very disappointing.

This app is extremely easy to use and accurate for identifying birds based on both sighting characteristics and photos. The photo identification feature nearly aligns with Arthur C Clarke’s third law, that any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic, and hence the app name of Merlin is extremely appropriate. HOWEVER, it does not allow you save your bird history, DESPITE the app explicitly stating that your sighting “response has been recorded to improve Merlin’s accuracy.” Such an oversight is nearly inexcusable, as it requires you to save your own screenshots or enter the info in a separate document or in eBird (for which both the interface and ease-of-use are greatly inferior to and clumsier than those of Merlin). I am practically begging the developers to add a bird history/tracking function to this app ASAP (as they have claimed to have been working on for at least the last six months), as I would be more than willing to pay for such functionality and the app would no doubt merit the full five out five stars.

This is my go to bird ID app when I’m not sure what I’ve seen or heard in the field. Love that it’s fast, straight forward and provides just enough info in an organized fashion. The fact that it allows you to report sightings on eBird (sister app) is a bonus. Wish you could report birds you’ve looked up manually with the explore option. It would also be nice if there was the option to automatically start an eBird checklist when reporting. My biggest complaint is that when you occasionally find a somewhat rare or unique species, the list of possible matches does not seem to include them even if the identifying criteria fit. Later if you’re able to ID the species through other means, and you use the explore option two look them up, they are in fact in the database. It makes sense to limit the number of possible matches, but perhaps including the option to access a second tier of less likely matches would be a good solution. I have yet to use the app outside of the US so I can’t vouch for it’s effectiveness in other places. I’ve had mixed results with the photo ID feature. It seems to work well but using a mobile phone camera to get a decent search photo is a highly limiting factor. I’m super excited about the new sound ID feature. I’ve been playing with it for a few days now and find it to be very accurate and helpful. I expect it will only improve as more species are added. If I could give 4.5 stars I would. This is an excellent app!