Being cooped up in our homes this past year has resulted in many pursuing new hobbies. Mumbai is home to hundreds of species of birds and even hosts migratory birds from across the world. Bird-watching, or birding, may seem dull or daunting at first, but millions swear by this hobby. It all starts with the joy of being able to identify the enchanting winged creatures. To help nature lovers get started, we have rounded up a list of birding apps that will help in spotting, identifying and tracking birds.

Vasai Birds

Developed by Team Vasai Birds to promote birding as well the rich biodiversity of the Vasai region (among the last green zones left on the outskirts of the city), this app describes over 250 bird species spotted around Mumbai. Enthusiasts get access to pictures, bird calls, habitat and diet preferences, and other relevant information that helps in identification. The special feature of Vasai Birds app is that users can also check the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red list status of birds to determine how rare their spotting is.

SGNP App

The app helps users explore the Sanjay Gandhi National Park with a detailed list of animals, birds, butterflies, trees, lakes, and more. Spread across 103 square kilometres, the lush green park is home to varied species of flora and fauna which makes it a popular weekend spot. With over 250 species of birds and 75 species of amphibians and reptiles, the SGNP app is extremely useful for keeping track of the birds and animals spotted. Users also get access to helpful information about trails and main attractions in the park.

Merlin Bird ID

The app functions as a customisable field guide that helps in identifying birds around the world. Nature enthusiasts can describe the birds they have spotted by answering a series of questions or use a photo for identification. Using crowdsourced data from millions of sightings across the world and powerful deep learning algorithms, Merlin Bird ID is poised to deliver the most accurate results. With its curated library of over 40,000 photos and 15,000 bird sounds and calls, it is a handy app for bird watchers.

Ebird

A beginner friendly app that enables users to track bird sightings, Ebird also makes that data available for research, education, and conservation. Developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ebird helps nature lovers explore bird hotspots by location. Features include full offline functionality, GPS enabled location plotting, quick entry tools, and much more.