Apps for young Citizen Scientists

Merlin Bird ID Cornell University
Merlin is the easiest to use bird identification app available, and it is free. Using location data and information from birders in your area, Merlin takes color, size and habitat information from the user and allows them to identify birds from the most likely choices.

More experienced birders will also enjoy EBird from Cornell University

Seek by Inaturalist
Seek is a free application That uses application technology to help the user identify plants, animals, and fungi by simply taking a photograph of them.

For those more experienced in identification, iNaturalist allows you to record your sightings.

Audubon Bird Guide App
This free app (Audubon will send periodic emails) allows you to learn more about the birds you have identified. Everything from Description to Migration is included here, with pictures and calls included.

Sibley Guide To Birds
Available in a highly functional application ($20.00), learn more about the birds you see using this extremely popular birding reference. Of course the book version is essential.

Books for young birders

For teachers, if you have not connected your students and programs to Rachel Icaza at Sonoma County Libraries (ricaza@sonomalibrary.org), you should. Rachel is the Educational Initiatives Librarian for the Library System, which has a lot to offer.
First stop for books of any kind- https://sonomalibrary.org/

The Cornell Lab Publishing Group puts out many great books about birds, including some that have curriculum written for them!
Here are just a few, with curricula that are aligned with national standards in Science, Math, Writing, and Art.

Both available at the Sonoma County Library

Melissa Stewart is an award-winning author of over 180 science books for children. She has a great blog for teachers and parents about encouraging young writers of non-fiction called Celebrate Science and has written some great books about birds including: