Merlin misidentification…

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Paula Hansley

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Jun 21, 2025, 12:50:41 PM6/21/25
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For those who rely on Merlin,

I tested Merlin several times while on a walk this morning. It consistently identified a Yellow-breasted Chat as a Lesser Goldfinch when I was more than 50 m from the bird!  As I got closer, it changed its identification to chat.

Paula Hansley
Louisville 

Jeff P

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Jun 21, 2025, 2:41:47 PM6/21/25
to Paula Hansley, CObirds
A couple of weeks ago I had Merlin incorrectly suggesting mockingbird where Yellow-breasted chats and separately gray catbirds were actively chattering. I also had Merlin recommending Ash-throated Flycatcher on Thursday afternoon at the parking area for Lichen Loop Trailhead in Boulder County. However, I believe it was just a Yellow-breasted chat mixing in an ATFL call.

Remain vigilant when using Merlin.

Good birding,
Jeff Percell 
Erie, CO

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Hondochica z

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Jun 21, 2025, 3:46:22 PM6/21/25
to Jeff P, Paula Hansley, CObirds
I had Merlin identify a bird as an Indigo Bunting when the only bird singing was a Lazuli Bunting - clearly in my binoculars - white wing bars and orange breast - maybe 50 ft from me.  Merlin did finally identify the bird as a Lazuli, but more often came back with Indigo. I won't trust Merlin unless I hear the bird, and if the song is unfamiliar to me - I'll often disregard the ID ( not included in my ebird list) unless I SEE the bird.  It's a Great tool - but is imperfect. . 

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/CAARWy%2BjKjJ7_7FLki2HczHetLx1Q-x%2BewNRrOAb-gm1bAsvAoA%40mail.gmail.com.

Steingraeber,David

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Jun 21, 2025, 4:20:28 PM6/21/25
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There's good reason not to rely solely on Merlin Sound ID, or sometimes, even your ears!  (After all, Merlin WAS a magician, and although it's called "Sound ID", it labels what it lists as "best suggestions", not identifications.)  While I was in Portal, AZ in April, a Northern Mockingbird flew in and perched in a nearby mesquite.  I had Merlin Sound ID running, and as I watched the mockingbird, it proceeded to mimic all of the following (as "suggested" by Merlin, and my ears, too!):  Northern Flicker, Cactus Wren, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Say's Phoebe, Rock Wren, Gila Woodpecker, Hooded Oriole, Western Kingbird, Western Tanager, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Hermit Thrush, Crissal Thrasher, & Brown Thrasher, with some of those repeated/interspersed in the sequence!  Mimus polyglottos, indeed!

Dave Steingraeber
Fort Collins


From: cob...@googlegroups.com <cob...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Hondochica z <hondo...@gmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, June 21, 2025 12:38 PM
To: Jeff P <jeff.p...@gmail.com>
Cc: Paula Hansley <plha...@gmail.com>; CObirds <cob...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [cobirds] Merlin misidentification…
 

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Buzz

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Jun 21, 2025, 7:42:54 PM6/21/25
to Steingraeber,David, Colorado Birds
I agree! 


Chris H

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Jun 21, 2025, 9:12:39 PM6/21/25
to Paula Hansley, CObirds
New cell phones have wonderful cameras but still have crap microphones.  Better microphones can be connected to you phone that will give you better range and sensitivity. I've noticed a big improvement in accuracy with this add-on. 

Chris Hobbs


From: cob...@googlegroups.com <cob...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Paula Hansley <plha...@gmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, June 21, 2025 11:50:26 AM
To: CObirds <cob...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [cobirds] Merlin misidentification…
 
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Norm Lewis

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Jun 21, 2025, 11:32:21 PM6/21/25
to Chris H, Paula Hansley, CObirds
At Rampart a couple days ago Merlin informed me that a blue manakin was present. Try as I would, I could not locate it……
Norm Lewis
Lakewood 
Sent from my iPhone


On Jun 21, 2025, at 7:12 PM, Chris H <chob...@gmail.com> wrote:



Paul Malinowski

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Jun 22, 2025, 7:00:35 AM6/22/25
to Norm Lewis, Chris H, Paula Hansley, CObirds
A couple of years ago I ran a photo through Merlin of a bird I had just seen and photographed but wasn't sure of. Merlin told me it couldn't identify it despite it seeming to be a clearly identifiable photo. I did some research through other resources and was able to definitively ID the bird as.......a Merlin!

Paul Malinowski 
Littleton, CO 

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/EA7BAABC-2179-497E-ACBF-13F385393C23%40aol.com.

Bob Shade

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Jun 24, 2025, 10:05:13 AM6/24/25
to Colorado Birds

Can anyone top this? I was at Beaver Ranch Park recently. Merlin identified the scream of the zip line as a Peregrine Falcon! That would be my second Peregrine for this year! 

Matt

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Jun 24, 2025, 11:44:11 AM6/24/25
to Bob Shade, Birds Colorado
Merlin ID’d a barn owl with my version of a “phishing”. Been able to reliably replicate on others Merlin to mess with people. 

Matt newport
Arapahoe county


Sent from my iPhone

On Jun 24, 2025, at 8:05 AM, Bob Shade <wrsh...@gmail.com> wrote:


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Kelly Ambler

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Jun 25, 2025, 8:35:35 AM6/25/25
to Paul Malinowski, Norm Lewis, Chris H, Paula Hansley, CObirds
Merlin once identified my husband's cough as a flammulated owl. 😆

Nonetheless, I have found Merlin to be a very useful tool. It especially helpful for getting back up to speed while recovering from winter amnesia. 

Kelly Ambler
Denver

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/CAMzYqKr1KkqGB1NRn4w2LsmsheKttY4DrRnGd0mE1aWzFY%3DYrA%40mail.gmail.com.

Ira Sanders

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Jun 25, 2025, 12:04:49 PM6/25/25
to Bob Shade, Colorado Birds
David, is it time to end this thread? 

Ira Sanders
Golden, CO
"My mind is a raging torrent flooded with rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives."

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