BirdEar
Your birds. Your journal.
BirdEar, by Leech Labs, identifies bird sounds and photos on your phone. Recognition inputs and your journal are not uploaded to a recognition server.
Recognition and saved observations
Recordings, selected photos, camera previews, saved sightings, notes and optional location stay in app-local storage. BirdEar does not require an account, sync your journal to a cloud service, sell your recognition media or use it to train models. Identification models run on the device.
Google ML Kit diagnostics
The camera's live bird-presence preview uses Google ML Kit. Google states that ML Kit processes input images and recognition outputs on the device, while sending diagnostic and usage metrics to Google. These can include device and operating-system information, app version, per-installation identifiers, performance measurements, image-format configuration, feature events and error codes.
Google uses these metrics to maintain, improve and debug its APIs and detect misuse. BirdEar has no advertising or cross-app tracking integration. For details, see ML Kit privacy information, Google's iOS data disclosure and Google's Privacy Policy.
Model and reference-media downloads
You choose to download the recognition models, about 521 MB in total, from BirdEar's public model host on Neon. Starter-guide photos and reference sounds load from Wikimedia Commons. Those services receive ordinary connection information, including your IP address and the requested public file. They do not receive your recognition recordings, photos or journal. After model installation, identification can work offline; reference media still uses the internet.
Permissions
Microphone and camera access follow your actions. BirdEar does not record in the background. Photo access is used for images you select. Location is optional; an approximate area can be saved with an observation if you choose. Current recognition models do not use it to rank species. You control app permissions in your device settings.
Storage, backups and sharing
Android app backup is disabled. iOS backups may include your journal and retained captures; downloaded recognition models are excluded from backups. BirdEar has no cloud journal sync. Sharing a journal summary includes the bird name, date and confirmation status, and omits private notes, location and raw media.
Deletion and retention
Settings lets you clear recordings, clear the journal or delete all local data. Removing recognition models leaves your journal intact. A recording referenced by another saved sighting is kept until it is no longer needed. Failed file deletions are queued for retry.
Abandoned managed captures older than 24 hours are cleaned up when the app opens or returns to the foreground. They may remain longer while the app is closed. Interrupted recordings can remain in the app's private recorder cache until the operating system removes them. Journal recovery copies and associated media remain until you choose to delete all local data. Uninstalling removes app-local data subject to your device's backup and restore behavior.
Support requests and this website
If you email support, we receive the contact information and content you choose to send. We use it to handle your request and retain it as needed for support and applicable obligations. Avoid sending private recordings, photos or location unless necessary for your request. Ask us about access or deletion at support@leechlabs.io.
These BirdEar support pages contain no advertising pixels or analytics scripts. The hosting provider, Hostinger, receives normal network request information to serve and secure the pages. Third-party services handle their own operational data under their respective privacy policies.
Questions and updates
Contact Leech Labs at support@leechlabs.io with “BirdEar privacy” in the subject. This policy will be updated if BirdEar's data practices change; the revision date appears above.