Downloading a bionic ear application transformed me into a bird enthusiast, immersing me in a world of bird sounds.

credit : getty images

With the Merlin Bird ID app, I gained the ability to identify birds and appreciate their presence.

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Merlin Sound ID uses the microphone on your phone to listen for bird sounds and provides instant identification.

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The app can identify multiple birds singing simultaneously and filter out background noise.

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I discovered a variety of bird species in my surroundings, from Dark Phoebes to White-breasted nuthatches and more.

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Merlin Sound ID relies on the extensive Macaulay Library, containing millions of recorded bird songs from around the world.

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The app's experts analyze the sound waveforms and tag them to train the program in recognizing different species.

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While Merlin is impressive, it can sometimes make mistakes or get confused, which is why it asks for location access.

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Using Merlin Sound ID is not cheating but a way to make birding more accessible and less intimidating.

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