BirdNote
Bird song & call identifier
Record a clear bird song or call and review the possible matches. Compare the suggested bird with reference photos and sounds.
Sound & photo ID · iPhone & iPad
The bird sound identifier that names birds by their song
Hear a bird you don't recognise? Record its call or photograph the bird to see possible matches, photos, range maps and bird facts. Free to download; includes 1 free sound scan and 1 free photo scan. Unlimited identifications require Premium.
No account required. See the current App Store offer.
Identify by Sound
Listening…
Common Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebs
Illustrative identification result
🎙️ Sound identification
📸 Photo ID too
Why BirdNote
One app to identify birds by sound, photo, and sight
Whether a bird is singing from a hedge or perched in plain view, BirdNote suggests possible matches to explore and compare.
Identify a bird by picture
No song? Snap a photo or pick one from your camera roll. The bird photo identifier matches plumage, shape, and colour against the full species library.
Explore the bird field guide
Every result opens a rich profile — habitat, diet, range, rarity, and song samples — so you don't just name the bird, you get to know it.
Save your life list
Keep every bird you identify in a personal list with date and location, and watch your birding life list grow with each new species.
Review possible matches
Identification results are suggestions. Check the bird's appearance, sound and range before accepting a match.
Check the bird’s range
Use a suggested bird’s range map and local reference guides to check whether it could occur where you are.
How it works
Try bird identification in three steps
No birding experience needed. If you can hear it or see it, BirdNote can help you name it.
1
Record or snap
Open BirdNote and tap Sound ID to record the call, or Photo ID to take a picture of the bird.
2
Let BirdNote match
Review the possible bird matches suggested from your recording or photo.
3
Meet your bird
Explore the suggested bird's profile, then save your favourite birds and review your identification history.
🎙️ Explore bird songs
Bird call identifier
Know the bird by its song
Birdsong is often the first — and sometimes the only — sign that a bird is near. BirdNote's bird song identifier listens, records, and identifies the singer for you, even when it stays hidden in the canopy.
- Record a clear song or call
- Review the suggested species
- Compare against reference recordings to confirm the match
📸 Photo match · Eurasian Blue Tit
Bird photo identifier
Spot a bird, know its name
When a bird sits still long enough for a photo, let BirdNote do the rest. The identify-bird-by-picture feature reads colour, markings, and shape to suggest possible bird matches.
- Use your camera live or any photo from your library
- Suggests matches from a photograph of the bird
- Opens a full profile with similar-looking species to compare
Explore birds
A whole world of birds to discover
Browse popular species and categories inside BirdNote — songbirds, birds of prey, waterfowl, owls, hummingbirds and more.
How BirdNote compares
Sound and photo ID in one simple app
Looking for the best bird identification app? Here's how BirdNote stacks up against what birders use today.
| App | Sound and photo ID | Free allowance | Offline identification |
|---|---|---|---|
| BirdNote | Both on iPhone and iPad | 1 sound scan and 1 photo scan; Premium for unlimited scans | Not verified |
| Merlin Bird ID | Both | Free | Sound ID and Photo ID work offline |
Published by BirdNote; based on linked official documentation checked October 7, 2026, without comparative accuracy testing. Choose Merlin for free offline identification. Sound coverage varies by region. Read the app comparison.
Questions & answers
Bird sound identifier FAQ
How does a bird sound identifier work?+
Record a bird song or call with BirdNote and review the suggested matches. Compare the bird with reference photos, range maps, facts and sounds.
Is BirdNote free to use?+
Free to download; includes 1 free sound scan and 1 free photo scan. Unlimited identifications require Premium.
Can I identify a bird from a photo too?+
Yes. Take or upload a photo of the bird to see possible matches. BirdNote includes 1 free photo scan and 1 free sound scan; unlimited scans require Premium.
How accurate is the bird identification?+
Results are suggestions and can be wrong. Recording quality, background noise and similar species can affect the match. Compare the bird with reference photos, sounds and its expected range.
Which birds and regions are covered?+
Browse the species catalog in the app and check a suggested bird's range map. A catalog entry does not guarantee that every recording or photo can be identified.
Does it work without internet?+
Offline identification has not been verified for BirdNote. For a free option with documented offline Sound ID and Photo ID, see Merlin Bird ID from the Cornell Lab.
Start birding smarter
Download BirdNote
Try BirdNote on iPhone & iPad. Free to download; includes 1 free sound scan and 1 free photo scan. Unlimited identifications require Premium.
