BirdGenieTM is an app that enables anyone with an Apple® or Android® smartphone or tablet

to identify birds by recording songs. Hold up the phone, record the bird singing, and BirdGenie

will tell you what bird it is.

There are separate apps for eastern and western regions of the U.S. Each regional app contains

80 vocalization types for 60 bird species.

A clear recording with your smartphone or tablet is necessary. BirdGenie identifies the bird if it

is an included species, and tells you how confident it is that the identification is correct.

The app also provides audio samples of the bird's various songs to compare with your own recording,

as well as color photos, basic information, and reading links.

The app, from Princeton University Press, will cost $2.99, and is to be available in the spring. No internet connection is needed to use it.

Technical requirements: iOS 6.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone 4/5/6, iPad, iPad Mini, and iPod Touch.

Android 4.0 and above. Compatible with most common Android phones and tablets.