Who’s That Bird? A Veterinarian’s Quest to Catalog the Wild with AI
By Cheryl S. Rosenfeld, DVM, PhD
Veterinary training sharpens our minds to match images—of anatomy, pathology, and radiographs—to textbook-perfect examples. From the start, we’re taught to recognize patterns, identify disease, and understand structure. This skill doesn’t just make us better clinicians—it turns us into natural observers of the world around us.
That instinct followed me far beyond the clinic.
While traveling to remote corners of the globe, I found myself constantly photographing birds, plants, and wildlife. But back home, matching my snapshots to guidebooks and field manuals often led to frustration—some creatures defied easy classification. And the symphony of birdsong surrounding me during those trips? I could hear them, but not name them.
Enter: AI.
Today, artificial intelligence isn’t just changing veterinary diagnostics—it’s revolutionizing wildlife identification. Tools originally developed for interpreting radiographs and biopsies are now helping nature lovers, veterinarians included, identify species in the wild—by sight and by sound.
Three Apps Every Nature-Lover (and Vet) Should Download
1. Merlin
From Cornell Lab of Ornithology, this app is often credited with turning casual onlookers into bonafide birders. Merlin’s sound ID feature records bird calls and displays a spectrogram alongside images of the birds heard—identifying them instantly. It can also ID birds from a photo, making it ideal for those of us who snap now and search later.
2. eBird
Also from Cornell, eBird is the go-to app for logging your sightings, exploring bird populations, and tracking rare species. Think of it as the social media of the birding world—complete with checklists, photos, and sightings from fellow birders in your area. It's especially helpful when reporting rare finds, thanks to its community verification features.
3. iNaturalist
While Merlin and eBird focus on birds, iNaturalist is the encyclopedia of all living organisms. Developed by the California Academy of Sciences and National Geographic, it leverages AI and a passionate user base to help identify nearly any plant, insect, or animal you can find. If AI can’t figure it out, a global community of naturalists will jump in to assist.
These tools have transformed the way I engage with nature. They’ve reignited the childlike wonder I felt when I first discovered the outdoors. Now, every new plant or animal becomes an invitation to learn, explore, and contribute to global biodiversity research.
A Life Rooted in Observation
In 2001, I purchased three wooded acres in Boone County, Missouri. Over time—and thanks to a lucky auction win—I expanded my property to 30 acres and part of a lake where trumpeter swans gather in the winter.
This land has become both sanctuary and classroom. I’ve used my photos to educate others about local birds, contribute to publications, and even (to my amusement) see my image of a Cuban trogon used in a viral comparison to a Tour de France cyclist’s outfit.
A few favorite sightings from home:
Gray fox, photographed in April 2022
Partially leucistic northern cardinal, seen between December 2024 and February 2025 (a rare 1-in-30,000 mutation)
Trumpeter swans, wintering in February 2024
Using Technology to Fulfill Our Veterinary Oath
As veterinarians, we’re called to prevent animal suffering and promote health and welfare. These apps provide a new and powerful way to contribute—by documenting species, tracking patterns, and supporting global conservation efforts. With smartphones in hand, we can gather data that matters and inspire others to care more deeply about the natural world.
I encourage you to join me.
Rediscover that childlike awe. Reconnect with your scientific curiosity. And help protect the natural world—one observation at a time.