Top 10 Best Bird Identification Apps to Identify Birds by Photo

Spotting a bird you cannot name is frustrating, especially when it vanishes in seconds. Bird identification apps that work from photos now make it easy to capture the moment and get reliable answers in the field or at home.

1. Birdium - Bird Identifier

Birdium is the best accurate mobile app for bird identification. It uses advanced AI to identify birds from photos with high precision.

• Simply take a photo of any bird, and Birdium will instantly identify it for you.
• It provides detailed information about each species, including habitat, behavior, and interesting facts, making it perfect for birdwatchers of all levels.

App Store | Play Store

2. Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab

Merlin Bird ID is one of the most trusted free bird identification apps that identifies birds from photos with impressive accuracy and supports hundreds of regions worldwide.

• It lets you upload a photo or choose from your gallery and then suggests likely species with confidence scores.
• The app also offers sound ID, range maps, and seasonal filters, making it a must-have for beginner and intermediate birders.

App Store | Play Store

3. Audubon Bird Guide

The Audubon Bird Guide app focuses on North American birds and provides a robust photo ID feature supported by a large, vetted image library.

• Users can submit a photo and quickly receive suggestions, then explore detailed field guide entries with calls, behavior, and habitat notes.
• The app is free and includes checklists and sightings to help you track your birding.

App Store | Play Store

4. Picture Bird

Picture Bird is designed for quick bird identification from photos with a clean, visual-first interface.

• You simply snap or upload a photo, and the app matches it to its database to show species, descriptions, and typical habitats.
• It is popular with casual birdwatchers who want fast answers more than advanced field guide tools.

App Store | Play Store

5. iNaturalist

iNaturalist is a community science app that identifies birds from photos using AI plus expert review.

• After uploading a picture, you receive an AI suggestion and can get feedback from other users and naturalists.
• It is ideal if you want to contribute your sightings to conservation data while learning more about local birdlife.

App Store | Play Store

6. Seek by iNaturalist

Seek is a simplified companion to iNaturalist that focuses on instant camera-based identification without requiring an account.

• It works offline for some features and can identify birds live through your camera or from saved images.
• The app is great for families and beginners who want gamified challenges and badges along with easy bird ID.

App Store | Play Store

7. BirdNET

BirdNET is known primarily for sound identification but also supports photo-based bird recognition in some versions.

• Users can combine photo and audio evidence to improve the chances of a correct ID.
• It is particularly useful if you hear a bird first and then capture a photo for confirmation.

App Store | Play Store

8. BirdLens (or similar AI bird ID tools)

BirdLens-style apps are AI-powered tools created specifically for identifying birds by photo with minimal extra features.

• They focus on high-speed visual recognition, often working from distant or imperfect images.
• These apps suit photographers who want a lightweight, photo-first bird ID companion.

9. BirdsEye Bird Finding Guide

BirdsEye integrates photo identification with real-time sightings data from platforms like eBird.

• You can upload a photo for suggestions and then see where that species is currently being reported nearby.
• It is ideal for birders planning target trips who also want reliable visual ID support.

App Store | Play Store

10. Collins Bird Guide (Europe-focused)

The Collins Bird Guide app, based on the classic European field guide, includes a powerful photo comparison and ID aid.

• While it emphasizes illustrations, many versions let you add your own photos to compare with plates and maps.
• It is best for European birders seeking authoritative reference material alongside photo checks.

App Store | Play Store

Conclusion

Finding the best bird identification app by photo depends on your location, experience level, and whether you want quick AI results or detailed field-guide information. Begin with a trusted free app like Birdium, then consider adding a second app for tricky identifications. With one or two of these tools on your phone, every unfamiliar bird becomes an opportunity to learn, document, and enjoy your time outdoors to the fullest.