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Comment by foo_barrio | Hacker News Reader

This looks so cool. I am casually interested in bird watching, especially being able to identify them via their songs. However the moment I click to "explore" it requires a login. Yet-another login to manage before I am get to sample the data... window closed. I am not their target demo anyway.

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> Yet-another login to manage before I am get to sample the data... window closed. I am not their target demo anyway.

My understanding is that eBird is only for recording sightings, and not for doing identifications. For identifications you want the Merlin app/page[0]. I don't think eBird/Merlin distinguish that clearly enough. But I think what you're looking for at this point is Merlin, and not eBird.

[0] https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/merlin/id

Merlin is a great tool as well. But I encourage anyone who is casually interested in birds to signup, its a great website with much to learn and I would say state-of-the-art data visualization.

eBird is actually very useful for identifications, because you can check out all photos anyone has ever submitted for that species and pick up subtle variations.

Also, you listed the incorrect URL. The correct one is [1], which is an Android and iOS App. The page you linked to is actually the page for the species Merlin, which is a bird in the Falcon family.

1. https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/

What a great tool it is! I just discovered it thanks to you, not the best season to see that but as soon as i'll hear one I'll use it for sure!

> Also, you listed the incorrect URL. The correct one is [1], which is an Android and iOS App.

Oops, thanks for correcting me on that!

I find it frustrating that Merlin and eBird don't integrate as well as one would expect

If you're interested in learning to ID birds by ear, check out Larkwire[1][2]. (Full disclosure: it's my app.) I can attest that knowing what you're hearing is really a delightful way to expand one's connection to nature!

[1] iOS app: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/larkwire-learn-bird-songs/id54... [2] web app: https://www.larkwire.com

eBird is a great resource for the casual birder looking to learn more. When I started, I used it to find out where to go to look for birds and what birds to expect once I got there. It also is an excellent listing tool, and listing in eBird helps you identify by knowing what's likely to be seen. As you get more into it, you'll be really glad you kept early lists in eBird. Push past the registration, it's worth it!

just search for ebird + your city/area on Google and go to the relevant page. Look at what's been cited recently to match against your own experiences.

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