by Dr. Chrissann Ruehle, DBA, MBA, CPM
AI Consultant and Strategist, & Management Faculty at Florida Gulf Coast University
The Everglades and Big Cypress National Preserve have long been treasured destinations for birdwatchers, hosting over 360 bird species throughout the year. Now, artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing how we observe and identify these magnificent birds. Some local birders are increasingly embracing these digital tools, making bird identification more accessible than ever for both novices and experienced watchers alike.
The cornerstone of AI birding technology is the free Merlin Bird ID app, developed by Cornell Lab of Ornithology. This free app is available in the app store or google play. This powerful tool can identify birds through both photos and sounds, making it invaluable in our diverse ecosystem. Simply point your phone at a bird or record its call, and Merlin helps narrow down the species. The app is particularly useful for identifying our resident wading birds, from Great Blue Herons to Roseate Spoonbills.
Working alongside Merlin, the eBird mobile app has become essential for serious birders in our area. This crowd-sourced platform shows real-time bird sightings and local hotspots. Want to know where people spotted a Swallow-tailed Kite this morning? eBird can tell you. Another notable app, BirdNet, specializes in sound recognition and works exceptionally well for identifying our vocal species like Red-bellied Woodpeckers and Northern Cardinals.
Created with ChatGPT 4.0 and Dall-E3
The latest addition to AI birding technology is the smart bird feeder. I see regular advertisements for these smart bird feeders posted to Facebook, and a simple search on Amazon can provide a thorough list in various price ranges. These innovative devices use AI-powered cameras to identify and photograph birds as they feed, automatically logging species and visit frequencies. My own smart feeder has revealed fascinating patterns about our local birds’ feeding habits, including peak activity times and weather-related behavioral changes. It’s particularly interesting to track how our winter visitors, like Painted Buntings, interact with year-round residents at the feeder. From time to time, the feeder misidentifies birds, in which case I try to correctly identify them to help train the AI. It’s important to oversee the AI bird feeder. Some feeders, like Birdfy, have an engaged Facebook community which is helpful when first starting to use the feeder.
To make the most of these AI tools in our unique environment, there are several best practices to follow. For sound recording apps, early morning hours before airboat tours begin provide the clearest recordings. When photographing birds for AI identification, the golden hours around sunrise at locations like Fakahatchee Strand offer optimal lighting conditions. The Marsh Trail in Ten Thousand Islands and the Bear Island area of Big Cypress are particularly well-suited for using these apps, with clear sightlines and diverse bird populations.
Local success stories abound. Some local eco-tour guides now regularly use these apps to enhance their tours, helping visitors not only spot birds but also learn their calls and behaviors. The data collected through these apps also contributes to broader scientific understanding of our local bird populations and migration patterns.
However, it’s important to remember that AI has its limitations. High humidity can affect phone performance, and background noise from airboats or wind can interfere with sound identification. Traditional birding skills – knowing where to look, understanding behavior patterns, and recognizing and interpreting flight patterns – remain invaluable human competencies. AI tools should complement, not replace, these fundamental skills.
As you explore our remarkable ecosystem, consider adding these AI tools to your birding toolkit. They offer new ways to appreciate and understand our feathered neighbors. For more information about local birding opportunities, contact the Audubon Western Everglades or join their monthly talks to learn from experienced birders who combine traditional knowledge with new technology.
