Merlin Bird Photo ID Mobile App Launches
Computer vision app can identify North American bird species from photographs
Ithaca, NY, New York, NY, & Pasadena, CA–The Merlin Bird Photo ID mobile app has been launched and, thanks to machine-learning technology, can identify hundreds of North American species it “sees” in photos. The app was developed by Caltech and Cornell Tech computer vision researchers in partnership with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and bird enthusiasts. Because Merlin Bird Photo ID can be used on mobile devices, it can go anywhere bird watchers go.
“When you open the Merlin Bird Photo ID app, you’re asked if you want to take a picture with your smartphone or pull in an image from your digital camera,” explains Merlin project leader Jessie Barry at the Cornell Lab. “You zoom in on the bird, confirm the date and location, and Merlin will show you the top choices for a match from among the 650 North American species it knows.” Read more