---
title: "Bird identification apps: Which are searched most?"
description: "Compare the apps used to identify birds. Share of Search among iNaturalist, eBird, Picture Bird, Merlin Bird ID and BirdNET, the bird identification apps Brandwave compares worldwide, using the same methodology, market, and reporting period. Branded searches tell you how often people look for a brand by name or related terms. Comparing these searches across competitors helps you see how popular each brand is over time."
canonical: "https://gobrandwave.com/demand/global-en/categories/bird-identification-apps"
publisher: "Brandwave"
---

# Bird identification apps: Which are searched most?

Compare the apps used to identify birds. Share of Search among iNaturalist, eBird, Picture Bird, Merlin Bird ID and BirdNET, the bird identification apps Brandwave compares worldwide, using the same methodology, market, and reporting period. Branded searches tell you how often people look for a brand by name or related terms. Comparing these searches across competitors helps you see how popular each brand is over time.

## Key facts

- **Competitive set**: Bird identification apps
- **Market**: Global
- **Brands compared**: 5
- **Month measured**: Aug 2026
- **Highest Share of Search**: iNaturalist, 40.8%

## Which brand is most popular in search among bird identification apps worldwide?

- In August 2026, iNaturalist was the most searched among bird identification apps worldwide, with an estimated 246K branded searches and 40.8% estimated Share of Search within this set.
- eBird is in 2nd place, 7.5 percentage points behind at 33.4% Share of Search.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, iNaturalist’s estimated Share of Search among bird identification apps worldwide increased from 36.2% to 40.8%.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, eBird’s estimated Share of Search among bird identification apps worldwide decreased from 36.2% to 33.4%.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Picture Bird’s estimated Share of Search among bird identification apps worldwide decreased from 16.3% to 12.3%.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Merlin Bird ID’s estimated Share of Search among bird identification apps worldwide increased from 6.5% to 9%.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, iNaturalist’s estimated Share of Search among bird identification apps worldwide peaked at 40.8% in August 2026 and was lowest at 30.1% in May 2026.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, eBird’s estimated Share of Search among bird identification apps worldwide peaked at 44.9% in January 2026 and was lowest at 28.9% in July 2026.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Picture Bird’s estimated Share of Search among bird identification apps worldwide peaked at 16.3% in October 2025 and was lowest at 9% in May 2026.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Merlin Bird ID’s estimated Share of Search among bird identification apps worldwide peaked at 18.1% in May 2026 and was lowest at 5.6% in November 2025.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, BirdNET’s estimated Share of Search among bird identification apps worldwide peaked at 6% in May 2026 and was lowest at 4.5% in August 2026.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, iNaturalist rose from 2nd to 1st among bird identification apps worldwide.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, eBird fell from 1st to 2nd among bird identification apps worldwide.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, BirdNET held steady: its estimated Share of Search among bird identification apps worldwide moved less than 0.5 percentage points.

## Compare search popularity between leading brands

- [iNaturalist vs eBird: compare search popularity](/demand/global-en/compare/ebird-vs-inaturalist): 40.8% against 33.4% Share of Search.
- [iNaturalist vs Picture Bird: compare search popularity](/demand/global-en/compare/inaturalist-vs-picture-bird): 40.8% against 12.3% Share of Search.
- [iNaturalist vs Merlin Bird ID: compare search popularity](/demand/global-en/compare/inaturalist-vs-merlin-bird-id): 40.8% against 9% Share of Search.
- [iNaturalist vs BirdNET: compare search popularity](/demand/global-en/compare/birdnet-vs-inaturalist): 40.8% against 4.5% Share of Search.
- [eBird vs Picture Bird: compare search popularity](/demand/global-en/compare/ebird-vs-picture-bird): 33.4% against 12.3% Share of Search.
- [eBird vs Merlin Bird ID: compare search popularity](/demand/global-en/compare/ebird-vs-merlin-bird-id): 33.4% against 9% Share of Search.
- [eBird vs BirdNET: compare search popularity](/demand/global-en/compare/birdnet-vs-ebird): 33.4% against 4.5% Share of Search.
- [Picture Bird vs Merlin Bird ID: compare search popularity](/demand/global-en/compare/merlin-bird-id-vs-picture-bird): 12.3% against 9% Share of Search.
- [Picture Bird vs BirdNET: compare search popularity](/demand/global-en/compare/birdnet-vs-picture-bird): 12.3% against 4.5% Share of Search.
- [Merlin Bird ID vs BirdNET: compare search popularity](/demand/global-en/compare/birdnet-vs-merlin-bird-id): 9% against 4.5% Share of Search.

## How did search popularity change for bird identification apps worldwide in August 2026?

- In August 2026, iNaturalist gained estimated Share of Search among bird identification apps worldwide, from 35.2% to 40.8%.
- In August 2026, eBird gained estimated Share of Search among bird identification apps worldwide, from 28.9% to 33.4%.
- In August 2026, Merlin Bird ID lost estimated Share of Search among bird identification apps worldwide, from 14.2% to 9%.
- In August 2026, Picture Bird lost estimated Share of Search among bird identification apps worldwide, from 15.9% to 12.3%.
- In August 2026, BirdNET lost estimated Share of Search among bird identification apps worldwide, from 5.8% to 4.5%.

## Share of Search ranking

| Rank | Brand | Share of Search | Estimated monthly branded searches | Change vs prior month | Owned by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | iNaturalist | 40.8% | 246K | +22.4% | iNaturalist |
| 2 | eBird | 33.4% | 201K | +21.8% | eBird |
| 3 | Picture Bird | 12.3% | 74K | -18.2% | Picture Bird |
| 4 | Merlin Bird ID | 9% | 54.2K | -33.1% | Merlin Bird ID |
| 5 | BirdNET | 4.5% | 27.1K | -18.1% | BirdNET |

## Historical estimated branded-search demand

| Month | Brand | Estimated monthly branded searches | Share of Search | Rank |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Oct 2025 | eBird | 201K | 36.2% | 1 |
| Oct 2025 | iNaturalist | 201K | 36.2% | 2 |
| Oct 2025 | Picture Bird | 90.5K | 16.3% | 3 |
| Oct 2025 | Merlin Bird ID | 36.2K | 6.5% | 4 |
| Oct 2025 | BirdNET | 27.1K | 4.9% | 5 |
| Nov 2025 | eBird | 201K | 37.7% | 1 |
| Nov 2025 | iNaturalist | 201K | 37.7% | 2 |
| Nov 2025 | Picture Bird | 74K | 13.9% | 3 |
| Nov 2025 | Merlin Bird ID | 29.6K | 5.6% | 4 |
| Nov 2025 | BirdNET | 27.1K | 5.1% | 5 |
| Dec 2025 | eBird | 201K | 40.9% | 1 |
| Dec 2025 | iNaturalist | 165K | 33.6% | 2 |
| Dec 2025 | Picture Bird | 74K | 15% | 3 |
| Dec 2025 | Merlin Bird ID | 29.6K | 6% | 4 |
| Dec 2025 | BirdNET | 22.2K | 4.5% | 5 |
| Jan 2026 | eBird | 246K | 44.9% | 1 |
| Jan 2026 | iNaturalist | 165K | 30.1% | 2 |
| Jan 2026 | Picture Bird | 74K | 13.5% | 3 |
| Jan 2026 | Merlin Bird ID | 36.2K | 6.6% | 4 |
| Jan 2026 | BirdNET | 27.1K | 4.9% | 5 |
| Feb 2026 | eBird | 201K | 39.3% | 1 |
| Feb 2026 | iNaturalist | 165K | 32.3% | 2 |
| Feb 2026 | Picture Bird | 74K | 14.5% | 3 |
| Feb 2026 | Merlin Bird ID | 44.4K | 8.7% | 4 |
| Feb 2026 | BirdNET | 27.1K | 5.3% | 5 |
| Mar 2026 | eBird | 246K | 37% | 1 |
| Mar 2026 | iNaturalist | 246K | 37% | 2 |
| Mar 2026 | Picture Bird | 74K | 11.1% | 3 |
| Mar 2026 | Merlin Bird ID | 66.2K | 10% | 4 |
| Mar 2026 | BirdNET | 33.1K | 5% | 5 |
| Apr 2026 | eBird | 246K | 34.9% | 1 |
| Apr 2026 | iNaturalist | 246K | 34.9% | 2 |
| Apr 2026 | Merlin Bird ID | 99K | 14% | 3 |
| Apr 2026 | Picture Bird | 74K | 10.5% | 4 |
| Apr 2026 | BirdNET | 40.5K | 5.7% | 5 |
| May 2026 | eBird | 301K | 36.8% | 1 |
| May 2026 | iNaturalist | 246K | 30.1% | 2 |
| May 2026 | Merlin Bird ID | 148K | 18.1% | 3 |
| May 2026 | Picture Bird | 74K | 9% | 4 |
| May 2026 | BirdNET | 49.5K | 6% | 5 |
| Jun 2026 | iNaturalist | 246K | 36% | 1 |
| Jun 2026 | eBird | 201K | 29.5% | 2 |
| Jun 2026 | Merlin Bird ID | 121K | 17.7% | 3 |
| Jun 2026 | Picture Bird | 74K | 10.8% | 4 |
| Jun 2026 | BirdNET | 40.5K | 5.9% | 5 |
| Jul 2026 | iNaturalist | 201K | 35.2% | 1 |
| Jul 2026 | eBird | 165K | 28.9% | 2 |
| Jul 2026 | Picture Bird | 90.5K | 15.9% | 3 |
| Jul 2026 | Merlin Bird ID | 81K | 14.2% | 4 |
| Jul 2026 | BirdNET | 33.1K | 5.8% | 5 |
| Aug 2026 | iNaturalist | 246K | 40.8% | 1 |
| Aug 2026 | eBird | 201K | 33.4% | 2 |
| Aug 2026 | Picture Bird | 74K | 12.3% | 3 |
| Aug 2026 | Merlin Bird ID | 54.2K | 9% | 4 |
| Aug 2026 | BirdNET | 27.1K | 4.5% | 5 |
| Sep 2026 | BirdNET | — | — | — |
| Sep 2026 | eBird | — | — | — |
| Sep 2026 | iNaturalist | — | — | — |
| Sep 2026 | Merlin Bird ID | — | — | — |
| Sep 2026 | Picture Bird | — | — | — |

## What is being compared

- **BirdNET**: Measured on the search term “birdnet”.
- **eBird**: Measured on the search term “ebird”.
- **iNaturalist**: Measured on the search term “inaturalist”.
- **Merlin Bird ID**: Measured on the search terms “merlin bird id” and “merlinbirdid”, summed into one figure.
- **Picture Bird**: Measured on the search term “picture bird”.

- [BirdNET](/demand/global-en/brands/birdnet)
- [eBird](/demand/global-en/brands/ebird)
- [iNaturalist](/demand/global-en/brands/inaturalist)
- [Merlin Bird ID](/demand/global-en/brands/merlin-bird-id)
- [Picture Bird](/demand/global-en/brands/picture-bird)

## Methodology

- [How is branded search demand measured?](/demand/methodology): Where the figures come from, what they compare, and how they may be reused.

## Frequently asked questions

### Which brand is most popular in search among bird identification apps worldwide?

In August 2026, iNaturalist was the most searched among bird identification apps worldwide, with an estimated 246K branded searches and 40.8% estimated Share of Search within this set. These are worldwide searches for English-language branded terms.

## Cite this page

Brandwave. "Bird identification apps: Which are searched most?". https://gobrandwave.com/demand/global-en/categories/bird-identification-apps

This page is also available as HTML at https://gobrandwave.com/demand/global-en/categories/bird-identification-apps. Brandwave publishes an index of its Markdown pages at https://gobrandwave.com/llms.txt.