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Best Free Identify Birds Apps

250+ iOS apps curated and reviewed

4.2 avg rating
20 free apps
Updated October 2026

Whether you're new to free identify birds or looking for an upgrade, our curated collection of 250+ iOS apps has something for everyone. Each app is reviewed and rated by real users, helping you make an informed decision.

Compare top Free Identify Birds Apps (October 2026)

#AppPriceRatingAdsIn-App PurchasesUpdated
1Merlin Bird ID by Cornell LabMerlin Bird ID by Cornell LabFree4.9β˜… (113K)NoNoOct 2026
2Audubon Bird GuideAudubon Bird GuideFree4.3β˜… (4.5K)YesNoOct 2026
3Smart Bird ID: Identify BirdsSmart Bird ID: Identify BirdsFree4.7β˜… (17K)NoYesOct 2026
4Picture Bird: Bird identifierPicture Bird: Bird identifierFree4.7β˜… (40K)NoYesOct 2026
5Bird Identifier: BirdScopeBird Identifier: BirdScopeFree4.7β˜… (2.9K)NoYesOct 2026
6Identifier: BirdIdentifier: BirdFree5.0β˜… (2)NoYesSep 2026
7JackpotaJackpotaFreeβ€”NoNoSep 2026
8BirdAiSnap-Bird IdentifyBirdAiSnap-Bird IdentifyFreeβ€”NoYesMay 2026

Top Picks for Free Identify Birds

Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab#1

Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab by Cornell University

Identify Birds You See & Hear
Editor's Choice
πŸ” Reference
4.9😊(113K ratings)
Free
#11in Reference
Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab screenshot 1
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Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab screenshot 6

Easily identify birds by sight or sound using advanced machine learning. Explore birds in your region, track your sightings, and learn about species with photos, sounds, and range maps. This free app from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology helps build your birding skills.

What We Love

  • πŸš€ Helpful for bird identification
  • πŸ”’ Accurate bird identification
  • πŸ‘ Easy to use
  • πŸ‘ Useful for beginners and experts
  • πŸ‘ Enjoyable and fun to use
  • πŸ‘ Comprehensive bird information
  • πŸ‘ Excellent sound identification feature
  • πŸ‘ Connects with eBird
  • πŸ‘ Free app with no ads

Room to Improve

  • πŸ› Sound ID not always accurate
  • πŸ› Occasional crashes or bugs
  • πŸ› Difficulty adding birds to life list
  • πŸ› Limited bird packs for certain regions
  • πŸ› Requires location access
  • πŸ› High battery consumption
  • πŸ› Confusing user interface in some areas
Audubon Bird Guide#2

Audubon Bird Guide by National Audubon Society

Identify over 800 bird species
Strong Contender
πŸ” Reference
4.3😊(4.5K ratings)
FreeAds
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Identify North American birds with this comprehensive field guide. Features include a bird ID tool based on observations, detailed species information with photos and audio, and a personal sightings log. Discover nearby birding locations and connect with conservation efforts.

What We Love

  • πŸš€ Great app
  • πŸ‘ Easy to use
  • πŸ” Helpful for identifying birds
  • 🎢 Useful bird calls and sounds
  • πŸ“ Provides location-based bird sightings
  • πŸ—ΊοΈ Detailed range maps
  • 🀝 Supports community features
  • πŸ’° Free app with great value

Room to Improve

  • πŸ› Buggy and crashes
  • πŸ”„ Confusing interface changes
  • πŸ”’ Requires account creation
  • πŸ“ Limited location-based features
  • πŸ—ΊοΈ Outdated or incomplete range maps
  • 🎢 Missing bird calls and sounds
  • πŸ–ΌοΈ Poor photo quality and functionality
Smart Bird ID: Identify Birds#3

Smart Bird ID: Identify Birds by Yellow Cardinal Inc.

Advanced Bird Photo & Sound ID
Worth Considering
πŸ“š Education
4.7😊(17K ratings)
FreeIn-App Purchases
Smart Bird ID: Identify Birds screenshot 1
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Instantly identify birds from photos or sounds. Explore a global bird guide, learn through interactive challenges and courses, and log your sightings. Connect with a community of bird watchers and collect animated stickers.

What We Love

  • πŸš€ Terrific app for identifying birds
  • πŸ‘ Helpful for learning about birds
  • πŸ‘ Easy to use and navigate
  • πŸ‘ Provides detailed information on birds
  • πŸ‘ Useful for both beginners and experienced birders
  • πŸ‘ Responsive and helpful customer support
  • πŸ‘ Ability to log and track birds seen
  • πŸ‘ Useful for traveling and seeing new birds

Room to Improve

  • πŸ› Occasional bugs and glitches
  • πŸ’° Some features locked behind paywall
  • πŸ” Difficulty isolating bird sounds in noisy environments
  • πŸ” Inaccurate bird identifications at times

More Free Identify Birds apps to explore

FAQ about Free Identify Birds

What are the best free identify birds apps for iPhone?
Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab tops our free identify birds apps ranking as of October 2026, with a 4.9-star average from 113K App Store ratings, and it's free to download.
Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab has no ads and has no in-app purchases, according to its App Store listing as of October 2026.
We track 250+ free identify birds apps on the iOS App Store as of October 2026, ranked by rating, recency, and analysis of real user reviews.