Birdsong data from Merlin ID app to help global biodiversity project
Summary
The Merlin bird ID app lets users identify bird species by their songs and photos using machine learning. It will soon connect with the eBird database to share bird sightings automatically, helping scientists monitor bird populations and support conservation efforts.Key Facts
- Merlin app, created by the Cornell Lab for Ornithology, identifies birds from their songs and pictures using machine learning.
- Bird sightings recorded by users will be automatically added to eBird, a global database with over 2 billion bird observations.
- The app can currently identify 2,066 bird species, mainly in the US, Canada, Europe, India, and parts of the Americas.
- Merlin has been downloaded over 40 million times in 240 countries, with nearly 2 million users in the UK alone.
- The UK bird population has declined by over 70 million in 50 years, highlighting the importance of bird monitoring apps like Merlin.
- Some users report occasional misidentifications by Merlin, and the European Bird Census Council advises caution in using the app for official surveys.
- The app aims to connect more people to nature and improve conservation through citizen science contributions.
- Future updates will allow users to upload audio recordings directly to eBird via the Merlin app.
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