Quick outline
- Why I tried Merlin
- Real moments when it helped (and when it didn’t)
- What I liked
- What bugged me
- Handy tips
- Final verdict
Why I grabbed it
I’m Kayla. I live near Seattle. I like coffee on the porch and birds that won’t sit still. A friend said, “Try Merlin from the Cornell Lab.” It’s free. It promises to tell you what bird you’re hearing or seeing. That sounded perfect for my messy yard and our weekend walks.
Turns out I’m not alone—BirdGuides recently posted a thorough review that highlights many of the same selling points.
You know what? I didn’t think it would work this well. Not every time. But most times. Let me tell you how it went.
(If you’d like the full, day-by-day version of my Merlin field notes, you can find that companion piece on Loup right here.)
Real moments, real birds
Porch test, 7 a.m., Tuesday
Cold mug. Warm hoodie. The yard was damp. I hit Sound ID. The screen lit up with names as the phone heard them. Song Sparrow popped up first. Then Black-capped Chickadee. Both were right there—one on the fence, one in the cedar. The chickadee did that sweet “fee-bee” thing, and the app highlighted it as it called again. That felt like magic, but not showy. Just… helpful.
It also flashed Golden-crowned Kinglet for a second. I didn’t see it. But I heard tiny high notes near the firs. Could be right. Could be wishful. I saved the sighting anyway.
Green Lake walk, Saturday, stroller squeaks included
My kid asked, “Is that bird yelling?” A sharp trill came from a tangle of blackberry. I pressed record. Spotted Towhee lit up on the screen. We waited. The bird hopped out, black head, warm sides, red eye. Boom—match. My kid called it “the leaf kicker.” Fair name.
Driveway photo test, mid-day sun
I snapped a bad picture of an Anna’s Hummingbird at the feeder. Backlit. Kind of a mess. I used Photo ID. It asked for the region and a crop. It guessed Anna’s. It showed photos that looked right: green back, magenta throat if the light hits. That was a win for a so-so photo.
Windy bluff at Discovery Park, Sunday
Here’s where it got weird. Big gusts. Waves. A distant Steller’s Jay screamed. Merlin suggested Red-tailed Hawk for a moment. Jays do that hawk scream sometimes, and the wind made it worse. I knew better and didn’t save it. Handy rule: if your gut says “hmm,” trust your eyes and ears too.
Café patio, metal chairs, lots of chatter
House Sparrows were all over the crumbs. Merlin sometimes mixed them with Song Sparrow when the mic picked up echoes. When I moved the phone closer, it got it right. Distance matters. So does noise.
What I liked
- Sound ID feels fast and clear. Names show up as the bird sings. You see what’s calling right now.
- It’s friendly. No fancy steps. Big buttons. Clean design.
- It learns your spot. “Likely birds” for your area makes guesses smarter.
- Photo ID works better than I thought, if your shot isn’t a total blur.
- Free. Built by the Cornell Lab. You can add your sightings to eBird if you want.
- Offline packs help on trails. I used the Pacific Northwest pack and it ran fine with no bars.
What bugged me
- Wind and traffic can fool it. Hold the phone closer than you think.
- Long recording sessions eat battery. My phone dropped about 12% in 45 minutes.
- Photo ID struggles with backlit birds and head-on poses. Side views work best.
- The app sometimes “sticks” on a bird after it stops singing, likely from echoes. A quick stop-and-start fixed it.
- Bird packs take space. Download on Wi-Fi before a trip.
Curious about the occasional hiccups? Audubon’s in-depth piece on why Merlin can be magical yet still make mistakes is a worthwhile read.
Little tips that saved me
- Cup your hand around the mic to block wind.
- Make short clips (30–60 seconds). Stop, then start again.
- Watch for repeats. If a name flashes once and never again, be careful.
- Compare the sound to the photos in the app. Does the shape and behavior match?
- Learn five common calls first—chickadee, robin, song sparrow, towhee, jay. Everything gets easier after that.
- Download your region’s bird pack at home. Way smoother.
(On the travel front, I recently put the Boss Revolution calling app through its paces during a family trip—cheap international minutes, quirky interface. My week-long review is up here if you’re curious.)
A quick side note
I tried BirdNET last spring. It felt more technical, like a lab tool. Merlin feels friendlier for day-to-day use. I still use both now and then, but Merlin is the one I open first, especially with kids around.
For an even broader nature toolkit, the Loup app helps you catalog plants, mushrooms, and other critters you bump into on the same walks.
The bottom line
Merlin made my week brighter. It turned random noise into real birds with names and faces. Not perfect. Pretty close. And it nudged me to look up, slow down, and spot what’s actually there.
(And for something totally different—say, if sports odds are more your jam than bird songs—I kept a candid diary of the Bovada betting app that you can read here.)
Who would like it:
- New bird folks and curious kids
- Walkers, hikers, and porch sitters
- Anyone who loves a quick win
Who might not:
- Folks who need pro-level certainty for research
- People in very noisy spots without a quiet corner
If you’re interested in how other digital trends are capturing the same millennial crowd that’s downloading Merlin, you might appreciate this deep-dive into changing online habits—here’s why millennials are using sex streams—which unpacks the social dynamics, privacy considerations, and tech features fueling that surprising surge.
On a related note, location-based apps aren’t just helping birders or livestreamers; they’re also reshaping how people scout out more discreet local experiences. Curious how that plays out in the adult-wellness niche? Check out this concise Rubmaps Secaucus guide to learn what the platform covers, how its review system works, and the privacy tips seasoned users swear by when choosing a massage spot in New Jersey.
Score from me: 4.5 out of 5. I’m keeping it on my home screen. And yes—I check it before I finish my coffee. Just in case that “yelling bird” is back.