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Behind the scenes of Sound ID in Merlin – Identify birds using your phone (2021)

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Re: Behind the scenes of Sound ID in Merlin – Identify birds using your phone (2021)

#31

Post by techterrier »

d0ugal wrote: post #30
haswell wrote: post #9

The Merlin app has transformed my nature/photo walks, and got me interested in birds. I never realized how many unique birds I was hearing as I’d walk through an area until I turned this app on. It opened a whole new awareness, and helped me remember which bird calls go with which species. There’s also something incredibly cool and satisfying and beautiful about the resulting spectrograms. Watching the shape of the b…

I have similar experiences. My parents both use the app also. It’s one of the few apps I hear their generation (retired and 65+) talking about. Now I’m imaging a crossover with this and Pokémon Go. Gamified bird watching!

thats Birda!

Re: Behind the scenes of Sound ID in Merlin – Identify birds using your phone (2021)

#32

Post by sdenton4 »

a1o wrote: post #7

So, very different from the Shazam/Abracadabra post from the other day. It's a different technique. It would be nice to get a comparison.

For music id, you have a static base doing that you're looking to compare to.

Bird sing varies by individual, however, so extracting peak frequencies doesn't stand a chance of working. For example, birds might song at a higher or lower pitch depending on body size or environmental noise. Depending on species, you may have regional, flock, or individual various in the songs themselves. There are also typically a number of different songs and calls per species.

Re: Behind the scenes of Sound ID in Merlin – Identify birds using your phone (2021)

#35

Post by jamesfmilne »

Just wanted to concur that this is a great app.

I first discovered it on holiday in Zakynthos. I wanted to identify what bird was making such a loud, clear call at dusk. Searched for bird call apps and found Merlin, which analysed a recording and told me it was a Eurasian Scops Owl.

It's great fun.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurasian_scops_owl

Re: Behind the scenes of Sound ID in Merlin – Identify birds using your phone (2021)

#36

Post by slowhand09 »

haswell wrote: post #9

The Merlin app has transformed my nature/photo walks, and got me interested in birds. I never realized how many unique birds I was hearing as I’d walk through an area until I turned this app on. It opened a whole new awareness, and helped me remember which bird calls go with which species. There’s also something incredibly cool and satisfying and beautiful about the resulting spectrograms. Watching the shape of the b…

I'm hooked as well. I recognize many birds by sight, and quite a few by their calls and songs. Many tho, especially smaller wrens, chickadees, etc I cannot tell apart. And others like vultures I see often but have never heard.

If they implemented a function to post your list for a single recording even to social media, usage would blow it up. I've recorded 15 species on a 10 minute walk. Blows my mind.

Re: Behind the scenes of Sound ID in Merlin – Identify birds using your phone (2021)

#37

Post by IndySun »

Anyone use Merlin with location off? I've used and watched it be ultra common/vague but mostly fail in 6 countries. Is it simply using location and the merest hint of sound captured to calculate the suggested bird? Full disclosure, I haven't used it (since) for around a year, some things can change for the better. I also have a brand new iPhone since - better mics?

Re: Behind the scenes of Sound ID in Merlin – Identify birds using your phone (2021)

#38

Post by da39a3ee »

user3939382 wrote: post #10

I’ve tried this a couple times but can’t get it to work because the bird song Im interested in is never the only sound in the environment.

It doesn't require that. But the bird sound does need to be fairly prominent, so yep, somewhere not too noisy would be good.

Re: Behind the scenes of Sound ID in Merlin – Identify birds using your phone (2021)

#39

Post by Somatochlora »

IndySun wrote: post #37

Anyone use Merlin with location off? I've used and watched it be ultra common/vague but mostly fail in 6 countries. Is it simply using location and the merest hint of sound captured to calculate the suggested bird? Full disclosure, I haven't used it (since) for around a year, some things can change for the better. I also have a brand new iPhone since - better mics?

Bird vocalizations are variable and with only so much space within which they can vary not all sounds can be identified even with close study of the spectrogram. Plus there are plenty of birds which mimic the calls of other birds very accurately. If you're taking away context clues from location it is not surprising that it would not work super well.

Re: Behind the scenes of Sound ID in Merlin – Identify birds using your phone (2021)

#40

Post by twoWhlsGud »

haswell wrote: post #26
Toutouxc wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I blame this app for making me buy a birding lens for my camera Haha, same thing, girlfriend installed Merlin on her phone, our walks turned into birdwatching hunts and now I’m eyeing the nice and affordable RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM to make things more interesting. I’m hoping it stops at that, birding lenses are expensive.

I should warn you now. That lens will definitely get you started and you’ll get some great shots. It’ll also make you want something even longer if you’re anything like me. Still seems like a good place to start because it’ll make you extremely aware of everything you want the next bigger lens to do ;)

One of the underappreciated health benefits of birding is the increase in upper body strength you get from lifting all that heavy glass you end up purchasing ... ; )

And, yes, Merlin has been transformative for me, too.

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