Useful Mobile Apps and AI tools for Species Identification

 

Seek by iNaturalist-

Photo: (iNaturalist, 2023)

 

Seek is a straightforward, image-recognition tool for identifying plants, insects, and animals in the field. Unlike most apps that require you to upload a photo and wait for a result, Seek uses your camera to perform real-time identification directly on your screen. When you point your camera at plants, trees, fungi, insects, birds, mammals, or amphibians, the app’s interface displays a taxonomic bar that fills in as it gains confidence. It moves from general classifications (e.g., "Flowering Plants") down to the specific Genus or Species.

 

Benefits

·        Efficiency: Because processing happens locally on your device, you receive immediate feedback without having to clutter your phone’s gallery with test photos.

·        Privacy: The app is functional without a login or account registration. It does not require you to share location data publicly, making it a reliable, low-friction tool for quick walk-by identifications.

·        Built-in Reference: Once a species is identified, you can tap it to see a brief summary, including seasonal activity trends and common local lookalikes.

·        Integrated Tracking: It includes a simple badge system to track your findings, which acts as a helpful log of what you’ve encountered without being overly gamified.

 

Limitations

·        Environmental Sensitivity: Because it relies on live camera input, it struggles in low light or with subjects that move quickly.

·        Scope: It is designed for casual identification rather than professional data collection.

 

eBird by Cornell Lab-

 

eBird is a birding tool managed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. It functions as both a personal digital logbook and a global crowdsourced network that researchers use to study bird populations, migration routes, and habitat health.

Benefits

·        Targeted Lists: Based on your exact location and the time of year, eBird pulls up a customized list of species you are most likely to encounter.

·        Easy Counting: You simply tap to add counts for each species. If you log something unusually rare for the area or season, the app prompts you to add a quick note or photo so a local reviewer can verify it.

·        Works Offline: You don't need a cell signal while walking. You can log your sightings on the trail and submit the checklist once you are back in service.

 

Limitations

·        No Built-in Identification: eBird won't identify a bird for you from a photo or sound, it's strictly for logging.

 

 

Merlin birdID-

Photo: (“‎Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab,” 2026)

 

Merlin Bird ID is a personal favorite when hiking. After many years hearing bird calls on the trail without any idea what I was listening to, but having this app ready to go makes identifying them effortless. Opening the Sound ID feature and letting it listen in real time quickly turns background forest noise into actual species names, making it much easier to pay attention to and recognize the local wildlife.

 

Benefits

·        Works Anywhere: You can download regional bird packs ahead of time, so the entire app works perfectly even when I’m deep in the mountains with zero cell service.

·        Context-Aware: Because it uses eBird data, it only suggests birds actually present in my specific area at this time of year, which makes the identifications much more accurate than a generic field guide.

Limitations

·        Environmental Interference: The AI can get confused by loud background noise like heavy wind, running water, or when multiple birds are singing over each other, so I always try to visually confirm the bird if I can.

 

 

Resources

eBird. (2025). In Cornell.edu. https://secure.birds.cornell.edu/cassso/login?service=https%3A%2F%2Febird.org%2Flogin%2Fcas%3Fportal%3Debird&locale=en_US

 

iNaturalist. (2023). Seek by iNaturalist. In iNaturalist. https://www.inaturalist.org/pages/seek_app

 

‎Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab. (2026). In App Store. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/merlin-bird-id-by-cornell-lab/id773457673

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Documenting and Training

This summer, and possibly beyond, I'll be tracking and recording sightings of fireflies and woodland box turtles. I plan to spend two to three nights a week outside spotting fireflies. For the woodland box turtles, I often see them crossing the road, which is when I stop to move them, or find them in my yard. Documenting and Training for Firefly Sightings Below are the steps to take on the Firefly Atlas website: ·       Find information about how to survey for  13 focal species ; ·       Access survey protocols and species identification materials; ·       Submit observational data, including  photos ; ·       Identify the fireflies in your photos, with the potential for verification by experts; ·       Download a  species checklist  for your state or province of interest; ·   ...
Read more

Woodland Turtle Sighting

  Spotted a Woodland Turtle! Today as I was walking through my yard to my garden I spotted a Woodland turtle! I often find these turtles in my quiet neighborhood crossing the road or near our creek. It was a surprise to find them near my pear tree enjoying the sun and munching on some grass. I may have spooked them by taking some pictures but needless to say they were a good sport and “smiled” for the camera. Filling out my reporting on the,  Virginia Herpetological Society , was easy and simple. I will admit that providing all my personal information felt a little much but I understand that by providing the information it adds to validity to the integrity of the entry. *Disclosure I will posting pictures on Canvas due to the cost of posting pictures on this blog.
Read more