Essential Birding Apps

Essential Birding Apps for Birding in Vieques, Puerto Rico

Vieques is a birding paradise, with habitats ranging from mangroves and lagoons to coastal forests. To make the most of your visit, three apps stand out: eBird, Merlin Bird ID, and All Birds PR → Antigua.

1. eBird

Purpose: Record sightings, explore hotspots, and contribute to global birding science.

Download:

• iOS: App Store

• Android: Google Play

Simplified "How to Use" Directions:

1. Create a free account.

2. Set your location to Vieques, Puerto Rico.

3. Tap “Submit Observations” to log birds you see.

4. Use the Explore tab to find recent sightings and nearby hotspots.

5. Add photos and notes to enrich your checklists (optional)

Tip: Check recent sightings before heading out—it’s the fastest way to know what’s active.

2. Merlin Bird ID

Purpose: Quickly identify birds by photo, sound, or simple questions.

Download:

• iOS: App Store

• Android: Google Play

Simplified "How to Use" Directions:

1. Select Puerto Rico as your region.

2. Tap “Identify a Bird” and choose:

   • Photo

   • Sound recording

   • Step-by-step questions

3. Review suggested matches with images and descriptions.

Tip: Use Merlin in real time, then log confirmed sightings in eBird later.

3. All Birds PR → Antigua

Purpose: A complete field guide covering all bird species in Puerto Rico and Antigua, with checklists and local insights.

Download:

• Search “All Birds PR → Antigua” in your app store.

Simplified "How to Use" Directions:

1. Create a free account.

2. Browse species lists specific to Vieques.

3. Explore birding trails, preserves, and observation points.

4. Log sightings within the app.

5. Review seasonal tips, rare species alerts, and nesting info.

Tip: Ideal for understanding the full regional picture, especially if you’re comparing Caribbean species.

4. RecForge II for Android and RØDE Rec for Apple

Did you know that the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology's sound archives need more Caribbean bird recordings? Merlin is not very accurate in the Caribbean due to limited sound recordings, so if you have time and like to play, give one of these two apps a try!

Quick Birding Strategy for Vieques

1. Identify birds in the field using Merlin.

2. Record your sightings in eBird.

3. Reference All Birds PR → Antigua for deeper context and additional information.

4. Try RecForge II for Android and RØDE Rec for Apple just because you can!